AS Monaco, desperate for a win to bolster their hopes of qualification for the next phase of the UEFA Youth League, earned against Benfica (1-0) in a game conditioned by an early red card.
With two games remaining, Monaco perhaps need two wins to qualify for the next round of the Youth League. Monaco academy manager Djimi Traoré described the games as “two finals” and, given the importance, the tension was palpable.
Scuro in attendance for Monaco win
Benfica’s Gustavo Varela earned what Traoré described as an “unfortunate” red card in just the 18th minute. That was the match-defining moment with the Portuguese side defending deep thereafter. “It would have been a better match 11-v11,” Traoré told Monaco Life.
In front of the onlooking CEO Thiago Scuro and technical director Carlos Aviña, Monaco predictably dominated possession, without ever truly laying siege on the Benfica goal.
Mayssam Benama controlled the midfield but in general, there was a lack of incision. Ilane Touré and Bradel Kiwa both missed good headed chances, however, Les Monégasques would take a lead into half-time thanks to Lucas Michal, whose deflected effort beat Arnas Voitinovicius.
“The boys adapted to [playing against 10 men] very quickly,” said Traoré, whose Monaco side adapted to the context, stayed solid, looked to get the second goal, but more importantly, ensured that they didn’t allow Benfica back into the game.
Benfica worked a couple of half-chances as the full-time whistle neared and the light dimmed in La Turbie, but Monaco held on for the three points, earning their first win in the competition since their opener against Barcelona.
Traoré admits to Monaco’s average run in Youth League
“I can’t take anything away from the boys given that, for now, our run in the Youth League has been average, relative to our ambitions with and without the ball. The win will give us a bit more energy and will get us going again. Our objective is to get to the next round,” said Traoré.
To achieve that objective, Monaco will need to take at least a point away to Arsenal at the start of December. “I have a group that is focused on the common objective, which is to represent AS Monaco on as high a level as possible,” said Traoré ahead of that encounter, which will decide their fate in this year’s tightly-contested competition.
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Photo credit: Luke Entwistle