After a spectacular and high-scoring match, the Rouge et Blanc finally managed to overcome an enterprising Nantes (3-5). It was a valuable victory that allows them to climb back up to second place in the standings.
What a match! After a rare display of attacking football from both sides, AS Monaco managed to overcome FC Nantes (3-5). It was an important victory, and their second consecutive win after doing the same in Toulouse, which allows them to move into second place thanks to today’s other results.
The context
Winners over Toulouse at the weekend (1-0), AS Monaco’s players are aiming for a second consecutive victory in Nantes this Wednesday, in order to maintain their position among the league leaders. They were facing an opponent they have a good record against (14 matches in a row without defeat), and the Rouge et Blanc however would have to be wary of the Canaries, who were coming off a victory against Paris FC.
The XI
At kickoff of this latest match, Sébastien Pocognoli again lined his side up in a 3-4-3 formation with two changes from the last match. Jordan Teze returned to the starting lineup alongside Mamadou Coulibaly in midfield, while Maghnes Akliouche would support Folarin Balogun and Takumi Minamino in attack. Kassoum Ouattara and Krépin Diatta continued in their roles as as wing-backs.
The scenario
There was no feeling-out period in this match played before nearly 350 Monaco supporters, with both teams starting at full throttle. Dehmaine Tabibou hit the crossbar for Nantes (6′), while the Rouge et Blanc would find more success thereafter. From a Maghnes Akliouche cross, Mamadou Coulibaly scored with a powerful finish, opening his professional account (1-0, 6′) with a goal that was 100% Made in La Diagonale.
An equalizer against the run of play
AS Monaco continued to press forward, creating numerous chances through Tylel Tati, who nearly beat his own goalkeeper (10′), Takumi Minamino (12′), and Folarin Balogun (14′). Unfortunately, after a superb save by Philipp Köhn against Youssef El Arabi (18′), Bahereba Guirassy leveled the score (19′, 1-1). This equalizer against the run of play didn’t deter Monaco from pushing forward again, and the Japanese international thought he had doubled their lead, but the goal was disallowed for offside (31′).
Balogun and Akliouche: A Triple Threat
One goal was disallowed by mere millimeters, unlike Balogun’s, who won his one-on-one ten minutes later to score his third goal of the season (1-2, 41′). Nantes responded just before halftime through their young striker, who completed his brace (2-2, 45+6′).
The second half started at a similar pace, and Madou’ also came close to scoring his second goal, but was denied by Anthony Lopes (48′). This was not the case for “Magic” Maghnes, who, from a perfect cross by Kassoum Ouattara, curled his shot across goal, giving the Rouge et Blanc the lead again for his third Ligue 1 goal (2-3, 55′).
Golo doubles the lead, but Nantes don’t give up
He then came close to scoring a second, but his chip was cleared off the line by Tati (67′). Shortly after, Aleksandr Golovin and Pape Cabral come on as substitutes (68′), as did Mika Biereth (73′). It was a winning move, as the Russian midfielder extended the lead with another assist from Ouattara (2-4, 76′). There was no time to celebrate, however, as Mostafa Mohamed pulled a goal back with a powerful shot (3-4, 80′).
The last word goes to AS Monaco who move into second place
The Rouge et Blanc want to score a fifth time but Pape Cabral (90′) and then Ansu Fati (91′) were off-target. It was, however, mission accomplished two minutes later thanks to their number 10, who headed home a rebound to score his second goal in one of the final moments of the match (3-5, 93′).
AS Monaco thus won 5-3 after a completely crazy match, climbing back into second place, just one point behind PSG. The team’s next match is this Saturday (7 PM) against Paris FC as part of the 11th matchday of Ligue 1 at the Stade Louis-II, with the desire to make it three wins in a row. DAGHE MUNEGU !!!
Source: www.asmonaco.com
