AS Monaco outplayed Rennes for long periods at the Stade Louis II on Saturday night, however, there was suspense right until the death as they held on for a tight 3-2 win.
Mika Biereth and Takumi Minamino both began the game brightly with the former teeing up the latter on two occasions. Unfortunately for the home side, however, the Japan international couldn’t find the finishing touch. That was not such a problem for Maghnes Akliouche.
“The best goal of my young career” – Akliouche
The France youth international netted what he described as “the best goal of [his] young career” with his acrobatic bicycle kick beating Samba. “It was an incredible goal – for sure, it can be the goal of the season in Ligue 1,” added Hütter.
Monaco really ought to have doubled the lead just seconds later but Aleksandr Golovin was denied by the crossbar and a flurry of half chances amounted to nothing. They were punished before the break as Rennes, with their first major chance, levelled the scores, Mohamadou Nagida tapping home from a tight angle after Radoslaw Majecki’s weak parried save.
“It was difficult to to accept the 1-1 at half-time,” admitted Hütter, but it didn’t stay that way for long. Les Monégasques were quick out of the blocks: Biereth almost gave Monaco back the lead but was denied by Samba but then beat him seconds later with a tamer effort. “I prefer simpler goals,” said the former Arsenal man, who is living up to his fox-in-the-box tag, having netted his first for his new club.
Zakaria leaves Stade Louis II in protective boot
Golovin then made the break. It was Denis Zakaria who won the ball back, Akliouche who drove towards the defence and Golovin who applied the finishing touch, tapping into the empty net. However, Zakaria was injured in the incident. The Swiss international left the Stade Louis II with a protective boot on his right ankle “as a precaution” before undergoing an MRI in the coming days. Hütter, however, expressed optimism regarding his captain, even if he is now a major doubt to face Inter Milan on Wednesday.
Without Zakaria, Monaco looked more fragile and after a warning from Amine Gouiri, whocurled just wide. Having got a sighter, he didn’t miss just minutes later, beating Majecki to halve the deficit and set up a nervy finish.
However, it was Monaco who had the better chances with Lucas Michal and Biereth forcing Samba into action once again. And there was a scare at the death as Mohamed Meité rose highest in the box, forcing Majecki into a big save.
Monaco head to the San Siro to face Inter
Monaco, however, held on, securing their first win in Ligue 1 since 7th December and provisionally reclaiming a place on the podium. “We can be satisfied with a second consecutive win,” began Hütter, after Tuesday’s win against Aston Villa in the Champions League, their first of 2025.
He added, “In our situation, with where we are, it was important to fight back. Fighting back in Ligue 1 (after four games without a win) was very necessary. We are guilty that the result is 3-2 and not 4 or 5-1. But it was well deserved for us in the end.”
After a difficult start to 2025, this week has had the feeling of a turning point and Monaco can now head to the San Siro with confidence and with the outside possibility of a top eight finish in the Champions League.
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Photo credit: AS Monaco
