A Heated Battle: AS Monaco Elite Group Fight The Dangerous Corsican Team SC Bastia

A good challenge to get back on track. For their first meeting of the year 2024, the Elite Group faced the second-division team, SC Bastia. This was a good test to restart the engine after the impressive victory against Brentford (4-1) and the instructive defeat against Benfica (5-2) last month.

At the end of a fiercely contested duel where each team had its half, the Red and Whites managed to level the score and secure a good draw against SC Bastia, currently 15th in Ligue 2 (1-1). Head Coach Elite Group Development · AS Monaco, Damien Perrinelle’s players had  held their own against the Corsicans. 

The Match 

Both teams were determined to set the pace. Despite some Monaco incursions into Bastia’s territory, it was the Corsicans who opened the scoring with a long ball from Johny Placide to Migouel Alfarela (0-1, 10th minute).Mayssam Benama attempted a long-range response without success (17th minute) 

Then, on a through ball exploited by Lucas Michal, the Corsican goalkeeper repelled an initial attempt by Enzo Baglieri, who scored from close range (1-1, 21st minute). 

Sixteenth goal this season for the Academy-trained forward. 

AS Monaco even comes close to doubling the lead with two powerful shots from Romaric Etonde (27th and 35th minutes). In the meantime, Bastia replies through their striker, but it’s too wide (28th). 

The Red and Whites have the best opportunities, and the attempts from Mohamed Bamba and Enzo Baglieri deserve better (37th, 46th). However, the halftime whistle blows with the score level.

Second Half

At the restart, the duels are once again fiercely contested, and Régis Brouard’s men pose a threat with a tight cross turned in by Santelli (51st) and then on a counter-attack that forces Yann Lienard to shine (52nd). 

Before that, the first Monaco spark is ignited by Mayssam Benama, well found in retreat but is diverted (53rd). The intensity drops a notch at the hour mark, the moment chosen by both coaches to rotate.

A fairly logical draw. Entered at halftime, Salatiel Decarpentrie almost finds Enzo Baglieri for the double (80th). But it is Bastia, more daring in the late stages, that almost take the lead with Loubatieres hitting the post of Alain Zadi (83rd). The Corsicans even have a last free-kick to exploit, but the Monaco goalkeeper prevails in the air. 

It’s over, and the Elite Group secures a draw against a dangerous team in transition. The next meeting for Damien Perrinelle and his players will be next Saturday against Cercle Bruges.

Source: www.asmonaco.com