The UEFA Champions League match held on 20th September 2023 ended with a solid victory for Red Bull Salzburg over SL Benfica with a final score of 2-0. The data analysis reveals a number of contributory factors to Salzburg's win, with their clinical finishes, effective use of set-pieces, and better discipline standing out.

Notably, Red Bull Salzburg was able to land two critical blows at 00:14:09 in the first half and 00:50:54 in the second half. The scale of Red Bull Salzburg's dominance is reflected in their greater number of corner kicks, 5 compared to Benfica's 4. This hinted at an increased attacking impetus from Salzburg, with more balls played into the dangerous area, leading to more opportunities to score goals.

On the disciplinary front, the game saw several cards being dealt, with Benfica receiving 3 yellow cards and 1 red, and Salzburg receiving 4 yellow cards. The significant red card picked up by Benfica likely affected their game plan drastically. Playing one man down is always an uphill task, allowing more space and time for the opposition to exploit, which Salzburg capably did.

Despite the loss, the Benfica side did pose some threat, as represented by their 2 offsides. However, Salzburg had to be more careful with their defensive lines as is evident from their 3 offsides. Furthermore, Benfica committed 9 fouls in the match, less than half the 19 committed by Salzburg. Nonetheless, it's clear that their defensive organization couldn’t capitalize on the numerical advantage, allowing Salzburg to find the net twice.

In conclusion, Salzburg's ability to capitalize on Benfica mistakes, couple with their significant goal-scoring opportunities and efficient use of set-pieces, contributed to their win. The disciplinary issues faced by Benfica, particularly the red card, had a significant negative impact on their game, reducing their manpower and consequently their ability to cover Salzburg’s attacks. The data paints a clear picture of a match dominated by Salzburg, facilitated by a combination of their tactical superiority and situational advantages. Going forward, both teams have significant takeaways from this match - Salzburg’s effective strategies and Benfica's disciplinary concerns needing attention.

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