PLAYER RATINGS | Monaco 0-1 Benfica: Moatasem Al-Musrati controversially sent off as Vangelis Pavlidis hands Benfica the advantage | OneFootball

UEFA Champions League, Play-off, 12/02/25

Moatasem Al-Musrati was controversially sent off for imitating a yellow card as AS Monaco lost the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off against Benfica (1-0) at the Stade Louis II.

The Match

The first-half was bereft of chances with both sides showing a great deal of caution. Maghnes Akliouche had the best chance of the first half,  drawing a big save from Anatoliy Trubin in the ninth minute. Benfica, one of the best sides in Europe in transition, looked dangerous at times but without ever really exploiting the space they were afforded.

Alvaro Carreras drew a good save just before half-time as Benfica had little joy in breaking down a defence that did nonetheless show signs of weakness. And that weakness was exploited upon the return from the dressing room. Vangelis Pavlidis got in behind Monaco’s high line and crucially got goalside of Mohammed Salisu. The Greek forward honed in on goal and beat Radoslaw Majecki with a chipped finish from a tight angle.

Then, four minutes later, came the controversy. Al-Musrati was already on a yellow when he called for Carreras to be shown a second yellow. He didn’t issue it to the Benfica defender but instead to Al-Musrati himself, who mimicked the gesture of awarding a card. Just as it was during the 3-2 win for Benfica at the Stade Louis II in November, refereeing decisions were at the heart of the discussion.

Monaco hung on with Majecki notably producing a good save to deny Pavlidis a second from close range. As a result, Monaco head to Lisbon with the hope of qualification still alive. Les Monégasques are down but not out.

Monaco player ratings

Radoslaw Majecki – 6

He could have done very little with the goal and stepped up on two occasions notably to limit the damage and give Monaco a chance of progressing next week.

Krépin Diatta – 4

Mohammed Salisu – 2

The Ghanaian was culpable for the goal, getting the wrong side of Pavlidis and failing to play the offside trap. It was the game-defining error.

Thilo Kehrer – 5

Vanderson – 4

Aleksandr Golovin – 4

Denis Zakaria – 5

Moatasem Al-Musrati – 2

His yellow card, whilst perhaps harsh, was logical given the rule. It is a rule rarely applied but a rule nonetheless. It is all the more disappointing given that he was brought in to be a steady head, an experienced player in a young dressing room. For an experienced player, it was a rookie error. Even prior to his red, the game passed him by and he often looked ill at ease in possession.

Maghnes Akliouche – 4

Breel Embolo – 4

Mika Biereth – 4

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco