Adi Hütter: "There will be a second leg in Lisbon to turn the tide" | OneFootball

Frustrated by the scenario of the match and by having been reduced to ten men again against Benfica (0-1), the Monegasque coach tried to analyze the defeat suffered in the first leg of the Champions League play-off. As did the Club's CEO, Thiago Scuro, present in the mixed zone.

It was a defeat that was hard to swallow. Despite a huge outpouring of energy against a tenacious Benfica team, and being very quickly down a man, the AS Monaco players were unable to avoid a defeat in the first leg of the Champions League play-off round (0-1). It was a result and a scenario that were frustrating, and that Adi Hütter had the opportunity to comment on after the match, as did CEO Thiago Scuro, who was also present in the mixed zone. 🎙️

Good evening coach. What is your biggest regret tonight?

First of all, I feel like it was a similar match to what we saw two months ago against this same Benfica side. The ten minutes after the break were decisive in the outcome of the match. I think that the second yellow card given to Moatasem Al-Musrati was harsh, because he wasn’t aggressive.

It’s a difficult red, even if he shouldn’t have that gesture. Despite everything, I liked the reaction of the team who fought and tried everything to reverse the result. That’s what I said in the locker room to the players, it’s only 0-1 and we will fight in the return leg to get qualification.

Did you want to keep your chances alive by not going for it in attack?

If it was the return leg, I would have obviously taken more risks at the end of the match. But there is a second leg to come in Lisbon, so I had to preserve our chances by not conceding a second goal. It’s only 0-1, so anything is still possible there and we’ll do our best. Tonight, I liked our first 30-35 minutes, where we were on the same level as Benfica.

These red cards are difficult to accept. At this level of the Champions League, these mistakes are not allowed, that is clear, because I said before the match that a small detail could make the difference, and this is one. It is a very harsh sending off once again, and it was decisive!

But when they came back from the locker room they were better, and it wasn’t easy to manage the rest of the match, especially after the sending off. In any case, we decided to make changes in view of a decisive match in Ligue 1 against Nantes, and the return in Lisbon.

Do you think Moatasem Al-Musrati should have reacted differently?

He should perhaps have managed his emotions better, but I repeat, I didn’t see him walk towards the referee and even less be aggressive. He just asked for a yellow card, which he shouldn’t have done, of course, and we respect this rule, but he wasn’t aggressive in his gesture. It’s a mistake, but it’s the same for Denis Zakaria’s card, who is also suspended for the return leg, it’s hard.

It is impossible to play without emotions! These red cards are difficult to accept. At this level of the Champions League, these mistakes are not allowed, that is clear, because I said before the match that a small detail could make the difference, and this is one. It is a very harsh sending off once again, and it was decisive! But you are right, we must be more careful with our reactions.

How do you plan to make up for Denis Zakaria’s absence in the return leg?

We have solutions in the squad to compensate for the various suspensions. I haven’t seen the images for Vanderson’s booking, but Denis’s was really harsh, because he was completely focused on the ball. It’s a difficult decision, but we have to accept it. We are guilty of having conceded this defeat and not having defended well enough on the goal.

I was very pleased with his performance on the left tonight, because he had a lot of work to do to manage the opponent's counterattacks, which were numerous, and he did things rather well, so I think it was the right decision.

A final word on Krépin Diatta, who played at left back…

Krépin is also capable of playing on the right, so we will find solutions to compensate for Vanderson’s absence. I was very pleased with his performance on the left tonight, because he had a lot of work to do to manage the opponent’s counterattacks, which were numerous, and he did things rather well, so I think it was the right decision.

The reaction of Thiago Scuro

“I think it is important that I speak out for several reasons. The first is that we are only through the first leg of this double-legged tie, and we have the cards in hand to turn the situation around in Lisbon and qualify for the next round, which remains our objective. We have the players and the qualities to hope for a different outcome, and we will take our responsibilities to do so. Secondly, I will try to find the right words to explain things with respect. This is the second time against Benfica that decisions have had a strong impact on the result of the match. It is not good for anyone and for the quality of the game. We are in the Champions League and have the right to hope for something else. When the referee is at the centre of the match, it is because something is not working, and that is what we experienced tonight. Moatasem Al-Musrati’s gesture should not have happened, even if he was not aggressive towards him. This second yellow was not necessary. Now we have to use our energy to show that on the pitch in the return leg and turn things around. I am not here to talk about all the decisions, but Denis Zakaria’s yellow card was not deserved, the images are clear. But I repeat, the confrontation is not over tonight, we believe in our team and we will go to Lisbon to win.”