Coverage:

In the UEFA Europa League match on 11th April 2024, SL Benfica secured a narrow victory over Olympique de Marseille with a final score of 2-1. This report will delve into the various contributing factors that influenced this result based on the statistical data available.

From the offensive standpoint, it's clear that the timing of the goals was crucial in setting the tone for each half. SL Benfica's early breakthrough, with a goal at the 15:45 mark of the first half, set the home side off on the right foot. With the 2-0 lead early in the into the second half (51:51), Benfica managed to hold their lead against Marseille despite conceding a late goal at 1:06:13.

Contrary to what the final score might suggest, Marseille had the upper-hand in terms of corner kicks. With a total of 8-5 in their favour, this raises questions about their overall effectiveness in set-pieces especially considering that they failed to convert these opportunities into goals.

Interestingly, SL Benfica had only one instance of being caught offside throughout the match, which speaks volumes about their disciplined positioning and awareness of Marseille's defensive line.

Looking at the disciplinary aspect, there were fewer fouls committed by Marseille (8) than Benfica (10), and Marseille refrained from any action that resulted in a booking for them. On the contrary, Benfica found themselves in the referee's books once during the first half at the 17:50 mark.

However, it's important to highlight that both teams maintained a clean slate concerning red cards, indicating a match played with intensity yet within the boundaries of fair play.

To summarize, SL Benfica skillfully gripped onto their early lead against Marseille despite less corner possession and slightly more aggressive conduct, reflected by the higher number of fouls committed and the sole yellow card of the match. Their disciplined offensive play, coupled with timely goals, led them to a well-deserved victory. However, Marseille might need to work on their efficiency in capitalizing on set-piece opportunities in future games.

These insights drawn from the statistical data provide a comprehensive understanding of the game's dynamics, contributing significantly to informed predictions and decisions for football bettors.

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