AS Monaco 0-1 Benfica Player Ratings: Vangelis Pavlidis scores the lone goal as they take charge in the tie

Vangelis Pavlidis was the difference between Benfica and AS Monaco today as he scored the lone goal of the match. The end-to-end game saw both sides desperate to get the lead in the tie, but it was the away side who managed to get the result going their way.

After a goalless first half, Pavlidis made the most of his half-chance and scored a stunning goal by chipping the goalkeeper from a tight angle. Mustassim Al Mursrati then got sent off early in the second half and ended AS Monaco’s chances of making a comeback in the game.

Here are the AS Monaco vs Benfica Player Ratings.

AS Monaco player ratings vs Benfica

Goalkeeper

Radoslaw Majecki – 7.5: Saved half a dozen shots today and was on top of his game. He was the main reason why AS Monaco remained in the game and had something to play for next week.

Defenders

Vanderson – 6: The right-back was unable to get out of his half today. He had to stay at the halfway line most of the time and could not do much to impact the game.

Thilo Kehrer – 7: He stayed strong and never looked like he was going to let the Benfica players run rings around him.

Mohammed Salisu – 6: He was the exact opposite of Kehrer and was unable to do much at the back. Often looked out of position as well.

Krepin Diatta – 7: He was up and down the pitch today and was ready to help out as and when needed. Brilliant at both ends.

Midfielders

Denis Zakaria – 6.5: He was doing well to position himself well in the midfield but hardly got the ball at his feet. Could have done more in linking up with his teammates.

Mustassim Al Mursrati – 5: A decent match but he asked for a yellow card for a Benfica player and got sent off himself as he was already on a yellow.

Maghnes Akliouche – 6: He hardly got on the ball but was ineffective today. His only shot was saved with ease.

Breel Embolo – 7: The Swiss star was a threat every time he got on the ball but sadly for Monaco, it was very little. He was not afraid to shoot, but none of his shots were on target.

Aleksandr Golovin – 7.5: He was the one trying to make things happen for AS Monaco today. However, Benfica did well to handle him and he was taken off before the 70th minute.

Forwards

Mike Biereth – 6: He was isolated most of the game and never managed to get involved. He dropped deep but could not do much today.  

Substitutes

Soungoutou Magassa – 6

Eliesse Ben Seghir – 6

Takumi Minamino – 6

Manager

Adolf Hutter – 8: He got things set up well but the players never managed to execute it.

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Benfica player ratings vs AS Monaco

Goalkeeper

Anatoliy Trubin – 8: The goalkeeper made three saves today and was on top of his game today. Kept a clean sheet to keep his side ahead in the tie.

Defenders

Tomas Araujo – 7: He was brilliant in the game and never looked like he was going to get beat today. Won all his aerial duels and was trying his best to create chances too.

Antonio Silva – 7.5: He was on top of his game today and almost got close to scoring thrice in the match – all from corners. He kept his calm at the back and kept the ball rolling.

Nicolas Otamendi – 8.5: He was the best player on the pitch today. He was winning most of his duels and also came close to scoring once.

Alvaro Carreras – 7.5: He kept going until the end and was hardly breaking a sweat in the game despite going up and down the pitch.

Midfielders

Fredrik Aursnes – 7: He controlled the right flank and was doing well in helping out Araujo as well.

Florentino Luis – 7.5: He was simply too good today. Showed his calmness in the middle of the pitch but was unable to do much in creating chances.

Orkun Kokcu – 7: A match where he was trying his best to get on the scoresheet but the shots were not great. His crosses were also not great and none reached his teammates in the box.

Forwards

Kerem Akturkoglu – 7: He was on the pitch for the whole game but never managed to get a shot on target. He would be hoping to do better in the second leg.

Vangelis Pavlidis – 8: He scored the lone goal of the match. He was brilliant in scoring the goal as it was hardly a chance but he made the most of things by chipping the goalkeeper from a tight angle.

Andreas Schjelderup – 6: There was nothing he could get right today. Was taken off just before the 80th minute as he was unable to impact the game.

Substitutes

Ángel Di María – 5

Leandro Barreiro – 7

Zeki Amdouni – 6

Andrea Belotti – 6

Arthur Cabral – 6

Manager

Bruno Lage – 8: He was commanding his players from the touchline and managed to get them charging up at every chance.

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