AS Monaco hosts Benfica this Wednesday evening from 9 p.m., during the 5th day of the Champions League. Follow the match live with commentary with us.
20:50 – Akliouche, the Monegasque weapon
To beat Benfica this evening, AS Monaco will be able to count on their in-form man, Maghnes Akliouche. Author of a double against Brest last weekend (3-2), the French international hopeful is in “fantastic form” in the words of his coach, Adi Hütter. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder seems to have taken a step forward this season, with six goals and five assists in 19 games played. Akliouche, who “has international level” according to Hütter, hopes to repeat his good performances in order to be called up to the French team in 2025.
20:45 – Benfica-Lage: “We will try to impose our way of playing”
Benfica coach Bruno Lage believes that there will be possibilities for his team this Wednesday evening in Monaco, provided that his players know how to “well analyze the spaces that will open up” on the lawn of the Louis II stadium. “Monaco is a dynamic team, which knows how to play between the lines but also in depth, explained Lage during his pre-match conference. When they lose the ball, they know how to create a lot of chances. We know that, but we will try to impose our way of playing. I expect a lot of aggression, pressing and transition play from this team, especially with four very dynamic offensive players, capable of creating a lot of opportunities. 'opportunities.'
20:40 – Di Maria shines in Benfica
AS Monaco will have to be particularly wary of a man in the ranks of Benfica: Angel Di Maria. After seven seasons spent in Ligue 1 under the colors of PSG and a year in Turin, the Argentine winger returned in the summer of 2023 to Lisbon where he had already played between 2007 and 2010 before leaving for Real Madrid. This season, Di Maria is having a blast and remains on five goals scored in his last two matches: two against Porto in the shock won in the league (4-1) and three in just 18 minutes against Estrela Amadora in the Cup (7 -0), Saturday. Including a magnificent bicycle!
20:35 – Monaco favorite against Benfica
For this Champions League match, Monaco is favored by the various sports betting sites against Benfica. The odds for an ASM victory oscillate between 2 and 2.3 while that of a Portuguese victory in the Principality is above 3. The odds for a draw are around 3.5.
8.30pm – Munich: Hütter is Benfica's méfie
Aware of the qualities of his team, Monaco coach Adi Hütter is still wary of this Portuguese team, which remains on two defeats in the Champions League against Feyenoord and Bayern, after two successes in the first two meetings. “Benfica is particularly good in rapid transitions, admitted the German coach on Tuesday at a press conference. Benfica remains on 8 consecutive victories (in the league, editor's note) including a fantastic 4-1 against Porto. But we remain on 3 successes.”
8:25 p.m. – A match broadcast on Canal+
This match between Monaco and Benfica will not be broadcast unencrypted on French television since it will only be visible on Canal+, a channel for which you must subscribe. To follow this meeting between the Monegasques and the Portuguese on the Internet, from 9 p.m. this Wednesday, November 27, you must also have a subscription, on the Canal+ website.
20:20 – Benfica: Di Maria starter on the right
For Benfica, Angel Di Maria is well started on the right wing, with two Turkish internationals on the offensive line, Kökçu and Aktürkoglu, to support Pavlidis. Former player of the ASM during the 2020-2021 season, Portuguese midfielder Florentino Luis, 25 years old, starts in midfield. The starting eleven of Benfica: Trubin – Bach, Otamendi, Araujo, Carreras – Aursnes, F. Luis – Di Maria, Kokcu, Akturkoglu – Pavlidis.
20:15 – Monaco: Hütter maintains confidence in Embolo
For this match against Benfica, Adi Hütter does not change his team and keeps his system with four attacking players. Despite doubts and his ineffectiveness, Breel Embolo starts up front, supported by Golovine, Akliouche and Ben Seghir. Minamino is a substitute. For the rest of the team, it's a classic. The AS Monaco starting lineup: Majecki – Vanderson, Singo, Kehrer, Caio Henrique – Zakaria, Camara – Akliouche, Golovine, Ben Seghir – Embolo.
20:10 – The calendar will get complicated for Monaco
If the Monegasques are in such a good position after four days in the Champions League, it is also thanks to a schedule that is a priori more favorable, but perfectly negotiated. Except that things are going to get tough for Monaco. After receiving Benfica this evening, ASM will travel to Arsenal in two weeks before playing Aston Villa at home then Inter in Milan during the last two days in January. The Monegasques would therefore be inspired to win this evening to move closer to qualification.
20:05 – Monaco wants to get closer to qualification
AS Monaco hopes to take advantage of Benfica's visit to the Louis II stadium this Wednesday (9 p.m.) to take a big step towards qualification. With ten points taken in four games and no defeats, the Monegasques can even dream of direct qualification for the round of 16 if they succeed this evening. “We want to defend our position in the rankings,” admitted Monegasque coach Adi Hütter on Tuesday at a press conference. “And for that, we need a victory.”
8:00 p.m. – Good evening everyone!
Good evening and welcome to everyone to follow the match between AS Monaco and Benfica, counting for the fifth day of the group stage of the Champions League. The kick-off will be given at 9 p.m. by Mr. Obrenovic, the Slovenian referee for this match.
