Tchouaméni: UEFA Decision on Prestianni a Victory for All in Champions League Clash

Aurélien Tchouaméni praises UEFA’s decision to suspend Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni amid racial abuse allegations
Tchouaméni scores first goal of the season, helping Real Madrid to 2-1 win and Champions League progression
Madrid fans display anti-racism banner, and Tchouaméni lauds Vinícius Júnior for maintaining confidence amid adversity

Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni celebrated his team’s 2-1 victory over Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday, emphasizing that the absence of Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was a victory for all involved. Prestianni, who faced accusations of racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior in last week’s opening leg, was suspended by UEFA for one match. The Argentine denied the allegations, but UEFA upheld the suspension, rejecting Benfica’s last-minute appeal.

Tchouaméni, who is of Cameroonian descent, expressed his support for the decision, stating, “It was the best decision for this person [Prestianni] not to play this game. There are more important things than football. Today was a victory for all of us.”

Madrid fans made their stance clear, displaying a banner against racism ahead of the match. Tchouaméni also praised Vinícius, who scored Madrid’s winning goal, celebrating with his signature dance by the corner flag — just as he had after scoring the first leg’s only goal. Tchouaméni added, “Vinícius has kept his confidence. He was very focused. He’s had an incredible game as he’s had many times before, and I’m very happy for him.”

The French midfielder’s performance earned him the player of the match award for the second consecutive Champions League game. Tchouaméni scored his first goal of the season to equalize for Madrid, and his contribution was vital in securing a 3-1 aggregate win to send the club into the round of 16. “I’m doing things well,” Tchouaméni said after the match. “I’ve tried to do what I know. I’m very happy with the goal. It’s something I have to improve on. I have a lot of confidence. I try to do my best in every game, and we have to keep it up.”

Real Madrid’s victory, bolstered by Tchouaméni’s goal and Vinícius’ continued resilience, sees them advance to the next stage of the competition, with both players playing crucial roles in the team’s success.

WRITTEN BY

Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.