Benfica took a big step towards the Champions League last 16 with a 1-0 victory at 10-man AS Monaco in the first leg of the playoffs on Wednesday (Feb 12). Vangelis Pavlidis scored the only goal early in the second half just before Moatasem al-Musrati was shown a red card after a second booking. Benfica prevailed 3-2 at Louis II Stadium when the teams met in the league phase in November and they maintained their unbeaten record against the principality side in European competitions. The return leg will be played next Tuesday with a tie against FC Barcelona or Liverpool looming for the winners.
Benfica took control of their Champions League play-off with an away win against a Monaco side that had to play most of the second half with only 10 men.
The visitors went ahead thanks to a superb chipped finish from a tight angle by Vangelis Pavlidis after only three minutes of the second half. Four minutes later, the hosts were reduced to 10 men as Libyan midfielder Moatasem Al-Musrati was shown a second yellow card on his Champions League debut. He had tried to get Benfica defender Alvaro Carreras booked for a challenge, but was instead shown a yellow card himself and then a red.
The first half had few clear-cut chances, although Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin did well to save Maghnes Akliouche's shot across goal.
Carreras, who was at Manchester United but never made a senior appearance for them before joining Benfica last summer, had two chances, but fired just wide and then brought a save from home goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki.
The second leg in Lisbon takes place on Tuesday (Feb 18), with Benfica favourites to move into the last 16. But they may be without winger Angel di Maria for the return game after the Argentine had to go off late on with a hamstring injury.
The winner of this play-off tie would face either Liverpool or Barcelona in a two-legged clash in March.
