“Three crucial points, with incredible support”

Confirming the good momentum they are going through, Benfica went to Monaco to pick up their 3rd win in the league phase of the Champions League, against a team that was unbeaten in the competition. Di María (Player of the Match), Pavlidis, Tomás Araújo and Amdouni highlighted their team's great game and the support of the incredible Benfica fans, who, in the Principality, made it look like the Eagles were playing at home.

DI MARÍA

"We always play at home"

"[A display that earned him UEFA's Player of the Match award] I was very happy with those [two] assists, it's one of the things that makes me very happy, I always say that scoring goals for me is like scoring a goal, it makes me very happy, and I'm happy for my teammates that they scored. I'm very happy with this win, we needed to win, it's a crucial three points. We'd lost the previous game and we had to turn things around. We knew it was going to be a difficult game, Monaco have great players, young players who run a lot, but I think we played a good game. It was very difficult, but we were able to win. [The reaction to the 2-1] The difference was that we had to win, turn the result around, and we went for it, we went for the win, and with Arthur and Zeki we played a great game and were able to convert. [The massive presence of Benfica fans] I always say it: away, at home, anywhere in the world, it's always full, we always play at home, and we're very grateful to them."

PAVLIDIS

"It's a special day, and we took the victory"

"It was a difficult game, we know that Monaco are a good team, who are doing very well in the Champions League and in the League. Of course, it's a special day for me, it's my first goal in the Champions League, it's a dream, but the most important thing is that we got the three points and we're still in the competition. [The difficulties experienced with one man up] I think we should have played a bit further forward at that point, we gave away a bit of space at the back, but in the end we did well and got the three points, that's the most important thing. [Di María's display] He's a special player, we see every day, in training and in matches, how good he is, that's why he's had such a fantastic career."

TOMÁS ARAÚJO

"It was a great game from the team"

"First, it was a great game from the team. We knew that Monaco were a very physical team and that they were looking for a lot of transition. We could have been much better defensively, and I think that's what we lacked. They had 10 men, and we seemed to be very relaxed on the pitch, and we didn't have a good defensive balance, and that's what killed us a bit, but the team reacted well. Then, the individual quality of the players is incredible, and we managed to turn it around. [The fans] I've said it before, it was 90 minutes in which we looked like we were playing at home. Of course, after the 2-1 they scored, the team always goes down a bit, but with these fans behind you, it's impossible to stay down. They're incredible and the team came back, and we managed to turn things around. [The improvement in the 2nd half] We were losing a bit of momentum, timing, in one-on-one duels and we made a lot of fouls. I think in the second half we were much better in that respect, we got to the ball earlier, we approached them better, and I think we were much better in that respect. [The goal is closer] There's no doubt about it. Nine points in the Champions League, but now we want more."

AMDOUNI

"It looked like there were more Benfica fans than Monaco fans"

"It's an important moment for me, but above all it's an important moment for the team. We needed this win today. The most important thing was that I scored and helped the team. [On the fans] We know they're always behind us, and even today it seemed like there were more Benfica fans than Monaco fans. It's a great feeling, and this win is for them too. [The importance of the victory] The three points were important. Now we're on nine points, with a defeat that tasted bitter in Munich. But we have to look forward, and today's win was very important. [Performance crowned with the winning goal] Experience is always better when you score goals. Today, I think I showed that I can help the team, and I'm proud of that."