Posted in Benfica, Champions League

Di Maria Pushes Benfica to 3-2 Champions League Win at Monaco

   November 27, 2024

Benfica ended Monaco’s unbeaten run this season in the Champions League league phase with a away victory at the Stade Louis II.

Eliesse Ben Seghir scored in the 13th minute, converting Aleksandr Golovin’s low cross, but Benfica equalized back through Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis.

A frantic ten minutes followed, with disallowed goals at either end and a second yellow card shown to Monaco’s Wilfried Singo, but Monaco retook the lead through Soungoutou Magassa in the 67th minute.

However, two late Benfica goals completed the comeback to inflict the French side’s first league phase defeat.

Ángel Di María produced two exquisite assists for Arthur Cabral (2-2) and Zeki Amdouni (3-2) to head in for the positive result.

Di Maria now has 41 assists in the Champions League and is only one behind all-time leader Cristiano Ronaldo with 42.

Tonight was an important win for Benfica, who ended a two-match losing streak in this competition. They return to Liga action on Sunday at Arouca.

Monaco slips to eighth place in the 36-team table with 10 points. Benfica are 14th on nine points.

UEFA: QUOTES

Ángel Di María “I am very happy about the win. We needed it. These are three crucial points for us because we had lost the previous two matches and we needed to reverse the situation. It was a hard match. Monaco are a great team that have lots of young players and powerful runners. I think we played a great game but it was difficult.”

Bruno Lage’s Opening Remark  “I am happy for the win, happy for the three points. We could have had two or three points [more] at this point, but our full focus is on moving forward and qualifying.”

Lage on his Squad’s Effort “We always try to be as calm as possible, but it was a very emotional match. What we are happy to say is that this was a team victory, both for the starting eleven and for the substitutes who came on and helped us.”

Lage talks about Di María: “He is having a very good season, I have come to expect this type of performance. He is an excellent player and person.”

Adi Hütter, Monaco Manager: “There is a big disappointment in the end because we started well. I think after the sending off of Wilfried Singo we also played a really good match. But everyone is a little bit disappointed.”

 

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Author: Psoccer

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