PLAYER RATINGS | Monaco 1-1 Lens: spoils shared as injury-time penalty cancels out Denis Zakaria’s opener | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 3, 01/09/24

A late, controversial Przemyslaw Frankowski penalty cancelled out Denis Zakaria’s opener, which had looked to be enough to gift AS Monaco all three points against RC Lens. Ultimately, both sides had to settle for a draw, which extends their respective unbeaten league starts.

The Match

On a pitch described as “impossible” by Will Still, both sides played more direct in what was an entertaining game throughout. Desipite their midweek defeat to Panathinaikos, which saw Lens miss out on UEFA Europa Conference League football, Still’s side matched Monaco physically and didn’t show any sign of mental scars.

Whilst Monaco looked dangerous, it was Lens who created the better chances, with Adrien Thomasson and Wesley Saïd both striking the post within the space of a couple of seconds. The latter really should have buried his chance, just yards out and with the whole goal gaping.

The Principality club, who despite Adi Hütter’s admission that his side “weren’t at the same level” that they showed during victories over AS Saint-Étienne and Olympoque Lyonnais in August, still created chances of their own. Maghnes Akliouche was particularly wasteful, squandering a one-on-one opportunity.

On what was an energy-sappingly hot day on the Côte d’Azur, both sets of players seemed to tire as the match reached its conclusion. However, there was late drama and plenty of it. Rémy Lascary Labeau looked to have given Lens the lead before the VAR picked up a hardlly perceptible handball in the build-up.

Monaco made the most of their repreive with Denis Zakaria rising highest at a corner. However, they couldn;t hold on. The Swiss midfieler was then harshly penalised for a handball in the box with Frankowski beating Philipp Köhn and securing a point for his side, deservedly. Both sides have seven points after three games.

Monaco Player Ratings

Philipp Köhn – 6

Kassoum Ouattara – 5

Christian Mawissa – 6

Wilfried Singo – 4

Not his usual self. Less imposing and aggressive in his duels, he also made two big errors, one in each half. The first came when he was dispossessed in a dangerous area, luckily Mawissa swept up. The second came when he was caught way behind his teammates, playing Sotoca onside. That time he was reliant on a good save from Köhn to keep the scores level.

Jordan Teze – 4

A difficult first start for the new signing, who was replaced by Vanderson (5) at the start of the second half.

Soungoutou Magassa – 7

Denis Zakaria – 9

Head and shoulders above any other player on the pitch, he withstands pressure and progresses the ball with elegance. He was untroubled both in and out of possession. A real captain’s performance, which was rewarded with a goal.

Eliesse Ben Seghir – 6

Takumi Minamino – 5

Maghnes Akliouche – 4

Folarin Balogun – 5

A workmanlike performance from the USMNT forward, whose movement was difficult to contain and whose hold-up play was valuable for his team. However, he still lacks the finishing touch.

Lens Player Ratings

Brice Samba – 5

Facundo Medina – 5

Abdukodir Khusanov – 5

Jonathan Gradit – 4

Quintero Chavez – 6

Andy Diouf – 5

Adrien Thomasson – 5

Ruben Aguilar – 5

Anass Zaroury – N/A

Taken off midway through the first half with an injury and replaced by David Pereira da Costa (6).

Florian Sotoca – 5

Wesley Saïd – 4

He missed a huge chance in the first half before being subbed for Rémy Lascary Labeau (6) at the break. The striker brought a new energy to Lens’ attack and was unlucky to see his goal disallowed for a barely perceivable handball.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle