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Football: Monaco’s Ligue 1 title hopes dealt big blow by PSG

by: Luke Entwistle
19/12/2024
Dembélé swinging a ball into the box at the Stade Louis II during PSG's 4-2 win against Monaco

AS Monaco were dealt a potentially decisive blow in the race for the Ligue 1 title as PSG came to the Stade Louis II and took away all three points (2-4) for the first time in almost five years.

It was an eerie atmosphere at the start of Wednesday’s encounter, the final Ligue 1 game of 2024. Unlike the other 16 clubs in the French top flight, who have all completed their league campaigns in this calendar year, Monaco and PSG were playing on – not that Les Monégasques’ fans were happy about it.

Monaco’s Ultras stage protest

This game was moved due to the scheduling of the Trophée des Champions, which will be contested between these two clubs in Doha, Qatar on 5th January 2025. The game had initially been scheduled to take place in China in the summer before those plans were ultimately foiled. Given PSG’s QSI (Qatari Sports Group) ownership, the decision to host the match in Doha has been met with hostility from Monaco’s fan base and the club’s ultras boycotted the start of this match,

They missed a dominant start from the visitors, who struck the post early on through Achraf Hakimi, whilst Bradley Barcola also forced Philipp Köhn, in for the injured Radoslaw Majecki, into a good save at his near post.

Then came the moment of controversy as Wilfried Singo, already on a yellow card, collided with Gianluigi Donnarumma after being put through on goal. The Monaco defender’s touch was heavy, allowing the PSG goalkeeper to close the angle. Singo got his shot away but the follow-through caught Donnarumma flush in the face. The goalkeeper, bloodied and bruised and requiring staples in his face, came off, Singo, however, stayed on.

Just moments later, Monaco were behind. Hakimi was once again given too much freedom as he drove into the box, cut back and found Désiré Doué, who netted his first Ligue 1 goal for his new club.

Monaco crumble after battling back

Köhn made three more big saves before the break, keeping his side in the game. Those efforts were rewarded early in the second half. Eliesse Ben Seghir tucked home a penalty after Marquinhos was adjudged to have handled inside the box and then just six minutes later, they turned the game on its head.

Maghnes Akliouche, a live-wire throughout the second half, latched onto Aleksandr Golovin’s ball over the top and put a cross to the front post that was flicked in by Breel Embolo. But the lead did not last long – just four minutes in fact.

It was a case of ball-watching as Köhn’s parried save was pounced on by Ousmane Dembélé with the Monaco defenders un-reactive to the situation. Then came the sucker punch as two substitutes, Gonçalo Ramos and Lee Kang-in, combined, the former tucking home the latter’s corner kick with an emphatic header.

Monaco threw attackers on in a desperate attempt to salvage a point. Takumi Minamino almost did so but he struggled to divert Akliouche’s ball past substitute goalkeeper Matvei Safonov.

Dwindling prospect of title challenge

There would be another goal but it would come for PSG as Dembélé beat the offside trap, held off Singo and then chipped Köhn – a moment of quality to wrap up an enthralling game.

Even before the halfway point of the season, it was a game that had the air of a finale, and in the fight for the title, it may be just that. “The question of the title would be difficult [if we lost],” said Akliouche pre-match. With Monaco now 10 points adrift, there is a mountain to climb.

“The Ligue 1 [title race] is still very open,” insists PSG manager Luis Enrique. However, with Les Monégasques having won just two of their last seven in all competitions, they will need an uptick in form in 2025 if they are to challenge PSG’s surpremacy – of the chasing pack, they still look the most likely to do so.

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Photo source: AS Monaco

Football: Arsenal squander Monaco’s hopes of wrapping-up Champions League progression

by: Luke Entwistle
12/12/2024
Monaco's Kehrer is grappled by an Arsenal player during the defeat to the Gunners at the Emirates

A dominant Arsenal side condemned AS Monaco to back-to-back defeats in the Champions League (3-0) as Adi Hütter’s side missed te chance to secure their qualification in London on Wednesday.

Hütter assured that his youthful side “wouldn’t hide” against Arsenal, favourites on paper, stating a determination to impose their style of football. Les Monégasques failed to do that in the first 45 minutes. Monaco were left chasing shadows as the Gunners dominated, creating a string of high-quality chances. 

Arsenal lay seige on Majecki’s goal

“We were lucky in the first half that Arsenal didn’t score more,” reflected the Monaco manager post-match. In the end, the visitors headed into the break just one goal down, quite miraculously. Gabriel Jesus had three great chances, two of which were one-on-ones, expertly foiled by Radoslaw Majecki, who did his best to keep Monaco in this tie. 

Martin Odegaard also slid the ball wide when one-on-one whilst Gabriel Martinelli also should have done better with just Majecki to beat. However, Arsenal did head in with an advantage thanks to Bukayo Saka, who latched onto Jesus’ ball to the back post. 

Majecki had a busy first half, unlike David Raya, who remained untested at the other end. A goal down, Hütter changed tack at half-time. Off came Soungoutou Magassa, on came Takumi Minamino as Monaco reverted to their more familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. 

It had an effect as Monaco grew into the game. Thilo Kehrer went close with a header, Breel Embolo fired just wide on the swivel and Minamino also had an effort on goal.

Monaco pay for ‘impossible’ mistakes

But the pressure, against such high-level opposition, could not be sustained. Arsenal, once again in a title battle in the Premier League, managed the game excellently and when the chance to kill the game came their way late on, they took it.

It was an individual error, a misunderstanding between Majecki and Mohammed Salisu that allowed Arsenal to pounce inside the Monégasque penalty box and Saka applied the finishing touch, registering his second on the night.

It was his shot, which took a guided flick of Kai Havertz that completed the scoring and provided perhaps a fairer reflection of Arsenal’s domination on the night.

Monaco have lost this season but all four of their previous defeats came by just one goal. The defeat at the Emirates was the first time that the Principality club were truly outplayed this season and that, coupled with the individual mistakes, made it a night to forget for Monaco.

“We gave them lots of gifts. At this level, it is impossible and not acceptable to make the mistkaes that we made,” lamented the Monaco manager post-match.

Monaco’s top 8 hopes dimmen

However, it wasn’t all negative. “I also saw positive things against a fantastic team with a maginificent style of play,” said Hütter. Arsenal showed Monaco the level that they are looking to attain, especially if they want to go deep in the Champions League.

Despite defeat, their second on the bounce, Les Monégasques are still almost certain to qualify for the play-off phase, although hopes of a top eight finish have now significantly dimmed.

Attention will now return to Ligue 1 with a match against Reims coming up on Saturday. For that game, Monaco will still be without Denis Zakaria and Folarin Balogun, the latter has been forced to undergo surgery on his shoulder issue. However, Wilfried Singo and Christian Mawissa will both return. All four were certainly missed by Monaco against Arsenal.

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo source: AS Monaco

Football: “Unlucky” Monaco leapfrogged by Marseille after late defeat at the Vélodrome

by: Luke Entwistle
02/12/2024
Majecki rising highest in a crowded box to claim the ball in Monaco's defeat to Marseille at the Vélodrome

AS Monaco relinquished their second place standing in Ligue 1 to Sunday’s opponent, Marseille, after a late defeat at the Vélodrome (2-1).

“We deserved at least a draw,” said Adi Hütter after Monaco’s Champions League defeat to Benfica on Wednesday (2-3). His analysis for the defeat to OM was a copy-paste job. 

“We didn’t deserve this defeat. When I see the entire game, we deserved a point minimum. I didn’t see OM as the better team. If we are lucky, we could have won this match […] it is hard to accept this defeat,” said Hütter as Mason Greenwood’s late winner inflicted Monaco’s defeat in the space of just five days. 

It had started well for Monaco. Dismissing any notion that his side would follow the blueprint for success at the Vélodrome, set by Angers and more recently Auxerre, which consists of sitting deep and hitting in transition, Monaco pushed high and were proactive in trying to influence proceedings.

“The Volcano” erupts as OM react

In a game of few chances, the Principality club had two big ones before half-time, one of which was taken with aplomb by Aleksandr Golovin at the back post, That came from Monaco leaping on a Valentin Rongier error before moving the ball swiftly and vertically to find Golovin unmarked at the back post.

But those moments were too few and far between, even if Marseille struggled to create problems of their own. Having only won once at the Vélodrome all season, the fans were on the backs of the OM players at half-time, letting them know what they thought of a timid first-half display.

But the Vélodrome, colloquially known as “The Volcano” did erupt just after the break as a re-enthused Marseille took control of the game. Once again, it was an error that created the goal with Mohammed Salisu misreading the trajectory of the ball. He headed it straight to Neal Maupay, who in turn found Luis Henrique just yards out and with an open goal. It was an unmissable chance and miss it he did not.

Buoyed by their revival, Monaco had to weather a storm that did not yield any high-quality chances, despite the intense pressure and the intensity of Marseille press.

Monaco were attentive to opportunities to punish OM without ever forcing the issue, with Takumi Minamino notably finding the side-netting, but the game looked to be heading towards a draw – a result that, within the context of the match, would have suited both parties.

Marseille end dour home run with late goal

But there would be a late twist in the tale. Christian Mawissa was punished for a hand-ball inside his box with Mason Greenwood stepping up to dispatch past Radoslaw Majecki.

The late winner inflicts a cruel second defeat of the week for Monaco, which also sees Marseille leapfrog them into second place in Ligue 1, albeit only on goal difference.

“We cannot be happy with the result but we can be satisfied with the performance,” said Hütter. Bar the match against Angers, that applies to all of Monaco’s matches this season, even if the rewards for those performances have not been forthcoming.

Monaco part of a break-away group?

Hütter says that Monaco have to focus on “chasing [their] goals” and whilst he insists that, after just 13 matchdays, he is not looking at the table, it is clear that a top three is emerging; Lille, inconsistent and struggling to juggle European and domestic football, are now in fourth and three points adrift of the podium.

Monaco may find themselves at the back of that break-away pack, but their performance at the Vélodrome, described as the toughest away atmosphere in Ligue 1, suggests that they may not still be there come the end of the season, and given PSG’s dropped points this week, there is perhaps a fallibility that can yet be exploited. It is a cruel defeat for Monaco but certainly not one that will see the club’s ambitious objectives re-evaluated.

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo source: AS Monaco

Football: Monaco slump to first Champions League defeat in controversial circumstances

by: Luke Entwistle
28/11/2024
AS Monaco players walking around the track around the Stade Louis II during the defeat to Benfica.

AS Monaco suffered their first Champions League defeat of the campaign at the hands of Benfica (2-3), who dramatically reversed the score-line in the dying stages.

The Principality club could have gone second in the standings in the event of a victory at the Stade Louis II and for long periods of the match, they looked on course to do exactly that. After Monaco’s academy side beat their Portuguese counterparts in La Turbie earlier in the afternoon, the first-team rushed into an early lead thanks to Eliesse Ben Seghir. He profited from Aleksandr Golovin’s good work – the Russian beginning the move deep inside his own half before providing the assist for Ben Seghir.

In control for large parts of the first half, the match ultimately hinged on a refereeing decision just before the break. Álvara Carreras, already on a yellow, hacked down Wilfried Singo but the referee did not brandish another yellow. Instead, it was Thilo Kehrer, Denis Zakaria, and then Singo himself who all went into the book for their protests. The yellow card for the latter proved costly later on.

Ben Seghir celebrates his goal in front of the Monaco fans. Photo credit: Luke Entwistle

Having lost their last two in the Champions League, Benfica came out with intent at the start of the second half. Whilst Breel Embolo almost doubled Monaco’s advantage, striking the post, seconds later it was the Portuguese side that was level thanks to a Caio Henrique error.

The Brazilian’s headed pass was too weak to make its way as far as Radoslaw Majecki and Vangelis Pavlidis snook in to intercept and walk the ball into the net.

Singo sending off the turning point

It was a roller-coaster of emotions for Monaco, who thought they had retaken the lead just seconds later, only for Maghnes Akliouche’s effort to be ruled out for offside before Benfica too saw one of their efforts ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside.

Then came the game-changing moment. Singo, already on a yellow, was shown a second for his involvement in an aerial duel and was sent off. Monaco, however, weren’t just willing to sit back and settle for a draw, and sensing an opportunity, they continued to impose themselves.

They got their reward late on with substitute Soungoutou Magassa latching onto Christian Mawissa’s ball into the box and thumping home his first-ever goal in European competition. But having re-taken the lead, despite their numerical disadvantage, they couldn’t hold on – their heroic efforts ultimately in vain.

Di María continues his fine record against Monaco

Former PSG forward Ángel Di María likes playing against Monaco, and whilst he was restrained for large periods of the encounter, he came to the fore late on, assisting Alexander Bah and then Arthur Cabral as Benfica turned the game on its head in the space of just four minutes. “He was the decisive player in this moment,” reacted Adi Hütter, referencing the influential Di María, who across the course of his career, has registered 11 assists against Monaco, significantly more than against any other club.

“We should have defended our box better and we were punished with two goals at the end of the match when we didn’t defend well as a team. It makes the result even more frustrating because we were leading 2-1. We deserved at least a draw,” added Hütter post-match.

A blow for Monaco’s top 8 chances

It is a result that brings an end to Monaco’s unbeaten run in the Champions League. It – almost certainly – won’t be consequential in their objective to secure a top 24 spot, but it does hamper their chances of finishing in the top eight, which would see them bypass the play-off round of the tournament.

It certainly doesn’t get any easier for Les Monégasques, who still have Arsenal, Aston Villa and Inter Milan to face in this revamped ‘League Phase’ of the competition. “Disappointed” with the result, Monaco can, however, take plenty of heart from another strong display.

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo source: AS Monaco

Football: Monaco bolster UEFA Youth League qualifcation hopes with Benfica win

by: Luke Entwistle
27/11/2024
Monaco's academy celebrate Lucas Michal's winner against Benfica at the club's Performance Centre in La Turbie

AS Monaco, desperate for a win to bolster their hopes of qualification for the next phase of the UEFA Youth League, earned against Benfica (1-0) in a game conditioned by an early red card.

With two games remaining, Monaco perhaps need two wins to qualify for the next round of the Youth League. Monaco academy manager Djimi Traoré described the games as “two finals” and, given the importance, the tension was palpable.

Scuro in attendance for Monaco win

Benfica’s Gustavo Varela earned what Traoré described as an “unfortunate” red card in just the 18th minute. That was the match-defining moment with the Portuguese side defending deep thereafter. “It would have been a better match 11-v11,” Traoré told Monaco Life.

In front of the onlooking CEO Thiago Scuro and technical director Carlos Aviña, Monaco predictably dominated possession, without ever truly laying siege on the Benfica goal.

Photo credit: Luke Entwistle / Monaco Life

Mayssam Benama controlled the midfield but in general, there was a lack of incision. Ilane Touré and Bradel Kiwa both missed good headed chances, however, Les Monégasques would take a lead into half-time thanks to Lucas Michal, whose deflected effort beat Arnas Voitinovicius.

“The boys adapted to [playing against 10 men] very quickly,” said Traoré, whose Monaco side adapted to the context, stayed solid, looked to get the second goal, but more importantly, ensured that they didn’t allow Benfica back into the game.

Benfica worked a couple of half-chances as the full-time whistle neared and the light dimmed in La Turbie, but Monaco held on for the three points, earning their first win in the competition since their opener against Barcelona.

Traoré admits to Monaco’s average run in Youth League

“I can’t take anything away from the boys given that, for now, our run in the Youth League has been average, relative to our ambitions with and without the ball. The win will give us a bit more energy and will get us going again. Our objective is to get to the next round,” said Traoré.

To achieve that objective, Monaco will need to take at least a point away to Arsenal at the start of December. “I have a group that is focused on the common objective, which is to represent AS Monaco on as high a level as possible,” said Traoré ahead of that encounter, which will decide their fate in this year’s tightly-contested competition.

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Luke Entwistle

Football: “Worst performance of the season” as Monaco stunned by Angers

by: Luke Entwistle
03/11/2024
Eliesse Ben Seghir stepping up to take a free-kick against SCO Angers

After their unbeaten run was brought to an end by OGC Nice last week, AS Monaco lost again on Friday as SCO Angers pulled off a shock at the Stade Louis II (0-1). 

Touted as Paris Saint-Germain’s main competitor for this season’s Ligue 1 title, Monaco have come crashing back down to Earth. The defeat to Nice last weekend came in peculiar circumstances, with the game turning on a couple of dubious refereeing decisions. It was a loss that saw their six-month unbeaten run come to an end; it didn’t take long for Adi Hutter’s side to register their next defeat.

Monaco fail to live up to favourites tag

Despite the end of their impressive run, which saw them sitting just three points behind table-topping PSG, Les Monégasques approached this game as the strong favourite. “We should win this game,” said Hutter on Wednesday, previewing the encounter. They should have, but they didn’t.

Angers, promoted from Ligue 2 last season, are tipped to make an immediate return to France’s second division, even despite an uptick in form, which saw them approach the game against Monaco having lost just one in their previous five, and despite having registered their first win of the campaign the previous weekend.

No possession, no problem for Angers

Alexandre Dujeux’s side had just 35% possession against the Principality club, but they used their possession to good effect. Jean-Eudes Aholou, a former Monégasque, got the only goal of the encounter, his outside-of-the-boot effort from outside the box beating the scrambling Radoslaw Majecki.

It was a rare bit of quality in what was a turgid encounter. “There was no pressing, no inspiration with the ball, runs that were too unordered, we played too slowly. We failed everything, especially in the first half. It is our worst performance of the season,” bemoaned Hutter post-match.

Monaco manager calls for humility

Lacking incision, despite all of their possession, Monaco did nonetheless have one big chance to haul themselves back into the game, and given his current run of form, you would have backed Breel Embolo to take it. However, one-on-one, Yahia Fofana pulled off a spectacular save with the tip of his boot. It is a result that sees Angers climb out of the relegation zone; Monaco remain second but the gap to PSG now stretches to six points.

“There have been a lot of questions recently about our capacity to challenge PSG. Let’s be humble,” said Hutter. There is a humility to re-discover and a level of performance too, as they travel to face Bologna in the Champions League on Tuesday.

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo source: AS Monaco / Icon Sport