SL Benfica vs Monaco preview - Toulalan: Keep Europe seperate

Posted Monday, November 03, 2014 by PA

Midfielder Jeremy Toulalan wants Monaco to separate their league form from their Champions League ambitions as they aim to move a step closer to the knockout stages on Tuesday.

Leonardo Jardim's men have yet to concede a goal in Group C of Europe's premier club competition but have only scored once in the 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the group stage opener.

Goalless draws against Zenit St Petersburg and Benfica followed but Monaco travel to Lisbon on the back of a six-game unbeaten run.

That is only good enough to put them seventh in Ligue 1 and their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal was evident on Friday night as they were held to a 1-1 draw by unfancied Reims.

But Toulalan insists that domestic form will have little reflection at the Estadio da Luz.

"It's a different competition, this is our fourth match in Europe," he told his club's official website.

"It's more problematic for the next league game, which becomes a must-win.

"For me though, it doesn't change anything for the game in Lisbon."

The Eagles would be delighted if they could replicate their league form in Europe with Jorge Jesus' men sat at the top of the league with just one defeat in their opening nine games.

But they have claimed just a single point from their opening three Group C games and defeat on Tuesday could see them eliminated from the competition and even struggling to stay in the Europa League, a competition they reached the final of last season.

The Portuguese league and cup champions are unlikely to make changes after a 1-0 win over Rio Ave on Friday with Jardel still a doubt. Ola John and Silvio also miss out.