Monaco march on with victory against Toulouse

AS Monaco continued their momentum with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Toulouse on Sunday to break into the European places with just one game to go until the World Cup break.

Philippe Clement’s side had the chances to take the lead in the first half, but they lacked the accuracy to take them, with Aleksandr Golovin guilty of missing some gilt-edged opportunities.

However, the Russian playmaker made up for his misses within seconds of the restart. Cutting in on his right foot just outside the box, he curled a sumptuous effort into the top corner. It isn’t the first time he has scored such a goal this week.

Monaco then kept their foot on the accelerator and chased a second, which they got less than 15 minutes later. Breel Embolo was once again the scorer, latching onto Takumi Minamino’s cross at the back-post to head into the empty net.

Had the Monégasques been more efficient, they could have had more, but ultimately the two goals were enough, with Clement’s men moving up to fourth in Ligue 1, at least temporarily.

Clement’s comments

“It’s always difficult after a qualification to play again and perform straight after. They carried out a good match with lots of maturity,” said Clement post-match.

On Golovin, Clement said, “We spoke about him when I came to the club eight months ago. He had already been here three/four years but was often injured. I saw a player in training that was technically gifted but physically perfectible. We told him that with the performance staff, we could make him a big player. Thanks to that, he can now string together the matches; he his more explosive and more solid as well. He has taken things into his own hands to become the player he is at the moment.”

Man of the match – Aleksandr Golovin

This is arguably Golovin’s best period in a Monaco shirt. He has found a physical level that he has never previously reached, allowing him to play a key part in every Monaco match thus far this season. Golovin’s run in the team has allowed him to find consistency, and the effects are telling. He is scoring more regularly and is more frequently decisive in the final third. The Russian was highly coveted in 2018, with Monaco splashing a reported €30m on the CSKA Moscow player, but he is beginning to justify that fee and assert himself as a key figure in this side.

Monaco face Marseille at the Stade Louis II next Sunday in the final match before the break for the Winter World Cup.

 

Photo by AS Monaco

Photos: Princely couple step out in NY for Princess Grace Awards

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene joined award-winning theatre, dance, and film artists in New York on Thursday for the Princess Grace Awards, where Princess Charlene also revealed the new Grace Diamond necklace to the world.

The Princess Grace Foundation USA Awards ceremony was held at the glorious 583 Park Avenue, an historic building from 1920s New York that has been recently restored.

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene joined members of the Kelly Family, Foundation board members, Crown Patrons of the Foundation, and notable luminaries and industry leaders for the special event, honouring this year’s class of Princess Grace Award winners in theatre, dance and film.

“The Princess Grace Foundation-USA was delighted to return to an in-person celebration of our newest class of Princess Grace Award winners,” Brisa Carleton, CEO Princess Grace Foundation USA told Monaco Life. “Covid has had a devastating and long-term impact on artists and we recognise that our financial support is needed now more than ever before to ensure that these incredible emerging artists can take the first key steps of their career. There’s no doubt the artists that we had the privilege to celebrate will shape the cultural landscape in the future.”

Photo left to right: Jeanette Fantone, Katie Mathews, Jahmil Eady, Princess Charlene of Monaco and Their Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, Río Castañeda, Diana Milena Ojeda Castellanos, Hazel McKibbin and Kelechi Agwuncha. Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Princess Grace Foundation – USA

Princess Charlene had the honour of wearing the pink Grace Diamond for its world premier, the spectacular La Vie en Rose, created by renowned Place Vendôme designer Lorenz Bäumer.

The 1.79-carat Grace Diamond presented by Maison Mazerea in collaboration with Grace de Monaco, the first global luxury brand for good, pays tribute to Princess Grace’s legacy and also establishes Princess Charlene as a steward of the iconic jewel. The Grace Diamond is designed to capture the world’s attention and direct focus to those whose work is ultimately about leaving the world a better place.

As the first ever to wear the Grace Diamond, Princess Charlene has set a magical story of philanthropy in motion. After a year, the Grace Diamond in La Vie en Rose will be replaced by another Fancy Colour diamond and the necklace will be sold at auction, with a share of the proceeds to benefit the Foundation Awards Program.

Photo left to right: Gabriela Saker, Siena Zoë Allen, Francisco Mendoza, Dane Edidi, Princess Charlene of Monaco,Their Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, Britnie Narcisse, Abigail C. Onwunali, Shayok Misha Chowdhury and Héctor Alvarez. Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Princess Grace Foundation – USA

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert, vice president of the Foundation that was established by his father Prince Rainier III after the death of Princess Grace, spent the night meeting and congratulating the award winners.

“Prince Albert has been passionately committed to upholding his mother’s legacy,” said Brisa Carleton. “He gets such joy from meeting the new artists and learning about their work. It was extra special to be able to celebrate with Princess Charlene as well this year.”

Previous award winners include actor James Udom, principal dancer Lucien Postlewaite, and costume designer Paul Tazewell.

 

 

SEE ALSO:

2022 Princess Grace Award winners announced

 

All photos credit: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Princess Grace Foundation – USA