AS Monaco swept Red Star Belgrade aside in the Champions League (5-1) to continue their incredible unbeaten start to the season.
The emphatic scoreline alludes to a walk in the park for the Principality club. In truth, it is a little more nuanced. For periods of the first half, Monaco struggled, and it was only upon the return from the dressing rooms that their physical and technical superiority was made to count.
“We had a great second half. The difference [to the first half] was huge,” reacted Adi Hütter post-match. It looked set to be a routine victory for Les Monégasques, not their first this season, after Takumi Minamino scored the opener, deceitfully beating the offside trap.
The Japan international was as surprised as anyone that the goal stood. “At that moment, I thought it was offside. When I looked behind, every player had stopped but I just kept going,” said Minamino, whose finish was calm, almost nonchalant.
But Red Star Belgrade hit back. Cherif Ndiaye was a constant threat and, profiting from a Wilfried Singo mistake, he burst into the Monaco box before being bundled to the ground by Thilo Kehrer. The Red Star striker stepped up himself to put away the resulting penalty.
Singo atones with wondergoal
The game then lulled and despite the fervent backing of 1,400 Serbians inside the Stade Louis II, Red Star couldn’t push on. But nor could Monaco break down a stern defence until Breel Embolo received the ball fortuitously on the edge of the box and then finished well on the volley right on the stroke of half-time.
Monaco then stepped on the accelerator. Singo more than atoned for his earlier error, drilling home a long-range wonder goal, one of the best scored in the Principality in recent times. There could have been plenty more.
Embolo saw a goal disallowed by VAR, Vanderson missed a great chance to get on the scoresheet, Maghnes Akliouche hit the post, as did Aleksandr Golovin. The lethal Minamino did not miss his chances, gratefully tucking home a generous Embolo pass to make it four.
But as Red Star crumbled under the pressure of the barrage, there was no mercy from Monaco, who punished the Serbian side ruthlessly. The fifth did come and it was Akliouche who got it. It was the cherry on top of the cake for Les Monégasques, who now have seven points from their first three Champions League games.
Red Star manager says Monaco “dominated in every aspect”
Hütter and co. believe that 10 points will be enough to secure progression to the knockout stage, which is the objective. But could Monaco target the top eight? “We are humble. We are in a good position but we will also be facing some really good teams,” said Hütter.
Embolo was a little more bullish. “If we can qualify in the top eight then we’ll go after it but there is still a long way to go,” whilst man-of-the-match Minamino also echoed his teammate’s sentiment.
Having “dominated [Red Star] in every aspect”, in the words of the Serbian side’s manager, Vladan Milojevic, Monaco are in a position of strength. “Scoring five goals in the Champions League is incredible,” said Hütter and it shows where this Monaco side are – and where they may be heading. On their return to the Champions League, they are re-establishing themselves among the European elite and doing so in style.
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Photo credit: AS Monaco