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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

Football: Monaco’s impressive unbeaten run comes to an end in feisty Côte d’Azur derby

by: Luke Entwistle
27/10/2024
Embolo stretching for a ball in the Nice box during the Côte d'Azur derby

AS Monaco’s six-month unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of fierce local rivals OGC Nice in a heated Côte d’Azur derby (2-1) on Sunday.

The match hinged on one contentious decision. “11 versus 11, Monaco were clearly the best team on the pitch,” said Adi Hütter. But it didn’t stay that way.

Just seconds after Evann Guessand, against the run of play, hauled Nice back into the derby, Vanderson was sent off for a second yellow card. It began with a light push on Mohamed Al-Cho, continued with the latter reacting with a barge of his own, and ended in a mass brawl, involving most players and both benches.

Monaco’s CEO criticises refereeing decisions

Despite not being involved in the scrap, it cost Vanderson, who was shown a second yellow and a red. “He likes to give red cards to Monaco,” said CEO Thiago Scuro post-match, voicing his displeasure at Jérémie Pignard’s refereeing performance on the night.

It certainly felt like the turning point. For much of the first half, Monaco dominated. Marcin Bulka palmed a deflected Takumi Minamino cross onto the bar and Breel Embolo saw his tap-in disallowed by VAR for a tight offside as the Principality club knocked on the door.

Embolo did get his goal soon after, latching onto Maghnes Akliouche’s through ball and sliding his shot past Bulka. It was a just reward for the chances that had been created.

A first defeat in 6 months for Monaco

But, against the run of play, Nice hit back just before the break. Evann Guessand rose highest in the box to head Les Aiglons level. Just seconds after that Monaco went down to 10 men. “Their goal, our equaliser and the brawl (which led to the Vanderson red card), it boosted us,” said Franck Haise post-match.

It was clear that, upon the return from the dressing rooms, it would be a different game. Nice, with more space to exploit, were in the ascendancy but struggled to put away their chances.

Guessand, through one-on-one against Radoslaw Majecki, failed to add to his account, who denied the Ivory Coast international again later in the half from close range. But Les Monégasques, unbeaten in six months, still showed the ambition to take all three points.

Lamine Camara almost got the third goal of the game but his long-range effort hit the underside of the bar. It wasn’t a moment of brilliance that decided the game but a glaring error, characteristic of Monaco’s night, which was punctuated by such errors.

Brought on at half-time, Krépin Diatta played the ball back to Majecki, only his pass was dreadfully under-hit, allowing Gaëtan Laborde to steal in, and run almost the length of Monaco’s half before chipping the Polish shot-stopper.

“We had this game in our hands” – Hütter

Monaco struggled to drag themselves back into the game, despite a flurry of changes. Nice had something to protect and they protected it well to pull off the shock and secure the three points.

“The team showed it could act, could react, even with absentees,” said Haise, whose Nice side approached the Côte d’Azur derby as the underdog.

Monaco, however, suffer their first defeat of the season, and given the identity of the team that have inflicted that first defeat, it will hurt. “When you lose a derby, everyone feels disappointed. We had this game in our hands […] we did some stupid things and they completely changed the game but we win together and we lose together,” reacted Hütter.

The defeat allows Paris Saint-Germain to take a slender lead in Ligue 1. PSG are now outright leaders. Monaco remain second, three points ahead of Marseille, who were swept aside later on Sunday in Le Classique.

 

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: Five-star Monaco sweep Red Star aside in Champions League

by: Luke Entwistle
23/10/2024
Monaco players celebrate Breel Embolo's goal against Red Star Belgrade.

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.

 

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: AS Monaco

Deep dive: Legends unite as AS Monaco celebrates 100 years and a record-breaking season

by: Luke Entwistle
11/10/2024
AS Monaco's squad line-up with coaching staff, CEO Thiago Scuro, majority owner Dmitry Rybolovlev, and minority owner Prince Albert II.

Under the gaze of club legends such as Arsène Wenger, AS Monaco’s current crop are making their own history as past, present, and future intertwine in this special centenary year.

It wasn’t just nostalgia but also entertainment that was in high supply at the Stade Louis II at the end of September. Wenger was amongst around 40 legends of the Les Monégasques to descend on the Principality on 28th September as part of the club’s centenary celebrations. Gathered at the club’s sleek new Performance Centre in La Turbie, incomparable to the facilities that they once had at their own disposal, they reminisced.

Lucien Cossou joked about how he missed out on beating Delio Onnis’ all-time goal-scoring record for Monaco. “What annoys me is that people don’t ask why I’m only the third top-scorer [in Monaco’s history]. It’s because I took and scored just one penalty,” Cossou told journalists gathered atop the sun-drenched rooftop of the Principality club’s base.

Lucien Cossou in La Turbie. Photo credit: Luke Entwistle/ Monaco Life

But there were also conversations that melded together the past and the present, such as an anecdote recounted by Euro 1984 winner Bruno Bellone, who spoke about getting the train down to Cannes as a 14-year-old with his Adidas to join Monaco’s now famed academy before going on to establish himself as a legend of the club. It is a path that many since have followed.

The past is also translating onto the pitch at the Stade Louis II. Legends spent the day talking about football being played “the Monaco way”. Two adjectives most commonly associated with “the Monaco way” are “attractive” and “attacking”. That is exactly what Adi Hutter is proposing in the current day.

The Austrian was in esteemed company as Les Monégasques took on Montpellier HSC. He would have been forgiven for feeling a little intimidated. Behind him, between the running track that circles the Stade Louis II and the VIP box where Prince Albert II and Dmitry Rybolovlev looked on, was a whole host of legends, including managers who had written history at the club. Wenger, Gérard Banide, Leonardo Jardim, and Claude Puel to name but a few. Hutter’s record now betters them all.

Arsene Wenger walking alongside Leonardo Jardim at the Stade Louis II. Photo credit: Luke Entwistle / Monaco Life.

Thanks to that dramatic late victory against Montpellier (2-1), earned through a last-gasp Lamine Camara goal, coupled with a win over Stade Rennais ahead of the international break, Hutter now has the best win record (63.4%) of any manager in Monaco’s decorated history.

“Adi really fits well with the way we work, the way we are in terms of an organisation. He has a clear playing idea and he is very simple in the way that he shares this with the players. He also has very positive leadership skills,” Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro told Monaco Life before that win over Montpellier.

Monaco make best start since 1961

Hutter has helped lead Monaco, currently top of Ligue 1 with 19 points and two points clear of Paris Saint-Germain, to their best league start since the 1960/61 season. The team to win the title that year? None other than AS Monaco.

As Scuro rightly tells us, it is “too early” to talk about a title challenge, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for optimism. In their post-Kylian Mbappé era, PSG have lost their air of infallibility. Whilst some opposition managers have described Les Parisiens as “better” than in previous seasons, that is yet to reflect on the pitch.

With Olympique de Marseille yet to show the consistency required to launch a title challenge, Monaco do look best placed to challenge PSG’s supremacy. There is undeniable quality in this squad, with a mix of youth and experience. Denis Zakaria and Thilo Kehrer are the backbone of this side. Their experience, as well as their undoubted leadership qualities, are helping the other youthful elements to shine.

Eliesse Ben Seghir, who spent much of last season on the sidelines with injury, is like a new signing; Maghnes Akliocuhe is proving that last season wasn’t a flash in the pan, picking up where he left off; Lamine Camara, in his short time at the Principality club, has shown that he may be destined for big things; and George Ilenikhena, in the process of obtaining French citizenship, broke Mbappé’s record to become Monaco’s youngest goalscorer in the Champions League, thanks to his winner against Barcelona.

“Sometimes [the youth-centric recruitment] goes against fans’ expectations, but we believe in this way. That’s the way we have the opportunity to see an 18-year-old striker scoring against Barcelona at the Stade Louis II. This is the history of the club,” said Scuro, referencing Ilenikhena’s goal. The Monaco CEO is perpetuating the club’s tradition, all while yielding results.

The centenary shirt worn during the victory over Montpellier, signed by club legends. Photo credit: Luke Entwistle / Monaco Life

Scuro deserves great credit for the construction of the squad, with strong backup options in every position. With Monaco competing in multiple competitions, rotation is essential, and the strength in depth in the squad is allowing for that, all while remaining highly competitive.

“Our playing style is connected to our physicality […] if you don’t rotate, it is basically impossible to give energy and physicality, which are our principles,” Scuro told us. But implementing a rotation policy whilst not disrupting the dressing room, or hurting egos, is no easy task. Communication is key, according to Kehrer. “There is good communication, and that is why there is a good understanding in the team and with the technical staff,” said Les Monégasques’ vice-captain.

This strong connection, harmony and ability to put ego aside in the name of collective goals has Monaco flying high, both in Ligue 1 and in the Champions League, a competition in which they remain unbeaten. In this special centenary year, the current iteration of the Principality club is upholding the traditions of the past. Striding along the path laid by the champions of 1961, time will tell whether they will reach the same destination and lift silverware once more at the end of the campaign. But they can hardly have gotten off to a better start.

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