AS Monaco draw with Cercle Bruges in a lively match | OneFootball

For their second pre-season friendly, against sister club Cercle, the Rouge et Blanc managed a good draw at the Performance Center (1-1), just before their departure for training in Austria.

Facing off in their traditional preseason duel, AS Monaco and Cercle Bruges walked away with a draw this Saturday morning (1-1). It was a second very interesting preseason match, which took place under the eyes of President Dmitry Rybolovlev, present at the Performance Center, in the company of the leaders of the two sister clubs.

The President of AS Monaco, Dmitry Rybolovlev, with a member of the Board of Directors, Stéphane Morandi, CEO, Thiago Scuro, Rembert Vromant, Technical Director of Cercle Bruges and Carlos Aviña, Technical Director of AS Monaco

The Groen-Zwart take the lead

The opposition started off very strong, since Yann Lienard, starting on the afternoon, was forced to make a magnificent save from the start to his left, on a strike from Kazeem Olaigbe (1′). The response came from Myron Boadu shortly thereafter, but the Dutch striker’s goal was refused for a prior foul (5′). It was too bad, because Cercle then obtained a penalty from which Kevin Denkey wrong-footed Liénard (0-1, 10′).

An immediate response from “Air Kehrer”!

There was no time to doubt for the Monegasques, who soon offered themselves a chance from Aleksandr Golovin (11′), before Edan Diop dropped the ball on tp the head of  Thilo Kehrer in return for a corner for an equalizer (1-1, 12′)! The last chance before the cooling break fell to Denkey (21′), before the debates get tough in the heart of midfield. The top scorer in the Belgian league again was dangerous at a free kick (36′), before Myron Boadu, working hard, hit the post on a shot on the turn (41′).

There are still quite a few international players missing, so it's also an opportunity for the youngsters in the Elite Group to show themselves. I know them well because they have been with us regularly for a year, and we want to give them the chance to play.

A first pro appearance for Bradel Kiwa

Half-time was whistled on a header that was off target from the Groen-Zwart. Coming back from the locker room, it took all the vigilance of Yann Lienard to divert a Bruges header at the far post (56′). After a header from Kassoum Ouattara from a corner (63′), the second half was punctuated by changes from both managers, with the appearance of numerous players trained at the Academy. It was an opportunity in particular to see the newest Monégasque, Bradel Kiwa make his debut with the first team.

A logical draw

In the last quarter of an hour, the former Groen-Zwart, Jordan Semedo Sarela, had two chance (72′, 73′), before the Monaco goalkeeper captured an attempt from the Bruges striker. It was finally Romaric Etonde who got the final opportunity following superb work from Félix Lemarechal, who had come on at half-time (86′). The score would no longer change, though and AS Monaco and Cercle ended the match with the points shared. (1-1).

I think it was a good test for us today against Cercle. We know their style of play, their willingness to press high, so it was important for us to know how to get out of this pressing and build. There were sometimes a few mistakes, but in the end it was a good match against a very physical team. The draw is logical in the end.

The next part of preseason starts Monday, was the Rouge et Blanc leave for a training camp in Austria, ready for a week of intense work.

📋 Match details:

Saturday, July 13 – Performance Centre

Preseason match: AS Monaco 1-1 Cercle Bruges

Halftime: 1-1