AS Monaco continued their winning start to life under Filipe Luís with a dominant 2-0 win over local rivals Olympique de Marseille (2-0) on Sunday night.
After two wins over Górnik Zabrze and one over Le Havre AC, this was billed as the first real test. The new Monaco manager passed it with flying colours. There is no need to change a winning team and so it was the same side that beat Górnik 4-1 on Thursday to qualify for the Europa Conference League that took to the field against Marseille. Luís has insisted on continuity and consistency in his line-ups, despite the dense schedule, and it is a strategy that continues to pay dividends.
OM, in the midst of an off-field financial crisis, were comprehensively beaten on it. Despite away fans being banned from this game, a great number were still present in two of the stands at the Stade Louis II. Their iconic “Aux Armes” chant rang around the stadium, but their spirits were quickly dampened.
Luís salutes Brunner’s “masterpiece”
With USMNT international Folarin Balogun yet to return – and perhaps never to return for ASM – Luís needed someone to step up. As is so often the case at Monaco, the succession plan is to promote an internal candidate. Paris Brunner looks to be that candidate. He ran Geoffrey Kondogbia ragged, especially on his second goal, described as a “masterpiece” by Luís.
His first was simpler. It was an inviting cross from Aleksandr Golovin and Brunner was there to rise and head past Jeffrey De Lange. He almost doubled up straight away. The German found room inside the box again, this time at the back post. He miscued his initial effort but got a second bite of the apple; this time, De Lange was equal to it.
OM manager Bruno Genesio insisted that this was a “balanced” match, and whilst his side had plenty of possession, they didn’t work the same openings as their hosts. Lamine Camara, “unbelievable” in the words of Luís, saw to that. The Senegalese midfielder was dogged in his defensive work and excellently screened his backline throughout the game.
A response was expected, and it came at the start of the second half. It wasn’t quite a storm that Monaco had to weather, but a succession of three more presentable chances came Marseille’s way: the first to substitute Keyliane Abdallah, then one for Angel Gomes, and another for Timothy Weah, who from a very tight angle clipped the outside of the post. Lukas Hradecky, however, was not truly tested.
From bad to worse for OM
And it was from the goalkick that followed Weah’s effort that the Principality club gave themselves breathing room. Eric Dier launched it upfield and Brunner, on the halfway line, turned Kondogbia, drove into OM’s half, into the box, turned inside Kondogbia, who was left on the floor, and then did the same to CJ Egan-Riley with his next touch. Brunner then kept his cool to finish into the far corner of De Lange’s net.
“It was outstanding from Paris. He was fantastic today. Since the beginning, he has done his talking on the pitch, in training, with goals, with his pressing, coming to defend, wanting to learn. I like these kinds of players. As long as he talks on the pitch, he will be there,” said Luís.
Kondogbia was subsequently subbed off with a muscular injury, whilst Angel Gomes and Tochukwu Nnadi would also have to cede their places before the end of the game, both due to physical issues. A nightmare night for OM, a dream for Luís, who, by winning his first four matches at ASM, has bettered the start of the legendary Arsene Wenger (three wins in a row).
“I’m really happy, but I’m not even close to Arsene. I’m just starting. I’m very happy that my players are doing what I want,” said Luís. The Brazilian added that Monaco had to “celebrate this victory and enjoy the moment”. And they are right to. More difficult times could lie ahead. Before Tuesday, the Principality club could yet lose Camara and Balogun. Both are linked with exits.
Luís hopes to keep “unbelievable” Camara
“I hope to keep [Camara]. You see the player he is – unbelievable. Until the end of the transfer window, anything can happen. Everyone hopes that he stays. He’s elite,” said Luís. He would be a big miss. There are even bigger tests awaiting Les Monégasques, too. Monaco will face PSG, Strasbourg, and Lens before the international break.
It is the former that await Monaco on Friday. Luis Enrique’s side, however, have failed to win any of their first two games in Ligue 1. “It is clear that PSG are not in the best physical shape yet. When they rediscover it, they will be the best,” said Luís. He will hope that they won’t find it next week. In any case, there is great promise in the start of the Luís era.
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Photo source: AS Monaco
