PLAYER RATINGS | Monaco 1-2 Toulouse: lethargic Monégasques miss opportunity to go second | OneFootball

Ligue 1 Uber Eats, Round 22, 18/02/24

AS Monaco failed to win at the Stade Louis II for the fourth game in a row, this time succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Toulouse FC. Les Monégasques missed the chance to go second, whilst Toulouse edge further away from the relegation zone.

Monaco were looking to build on their victory over OGC Nice in last weekend’s Côte d’Azur derby and they were quick out of the blocks, with Folarin Balogun drawing an early save from Guillaume Restes, having been fed through by Takumi Minamino. However, the intensity was sorely lacking from Les Monégasques, and as they let the game drift, Toulouse grew in confidence.

Guillermo Maripán was quickly identified as a weak link in Monaco’s defence, and Toulouse tested his lack of pace. Cristian Casseres was brought down by the Chilean in not too dissimilar circumstances to those that saw Maripán red carded against Olympique de Marseille, however, unlike that evening at the Vélodrome, no foul was given. But it was a warning sign.

Frank Magri went close after being put in behind the Monaco defence, but he couldn’t tip it around Philipp Köhn in the Monaco goal, but Vincent Sierro could just moments later. The Toulouse captain spotted Köhn’s poor positioning from a free-kick and he quickly exploited it, curling an effort into the Swiss goalkeeper’s near post. Köhn, who was scrambling across, couldn’t get a touch to it.

Balogun blues, Monégasque boos

Adi Hütter’s men were booed off at the break, however, they showed an immediate reaction in the second half. Maghnes Akliouche benefitted from a couple of fortunate ricochets inside the TéFéCé box to finish first time past Guillaume Restes. The Principality club continued to push, with Akliouche going close again just seconds later, before Folarin Balogun saw a good chance inside the Toulouse box blocked.

However, Toulouse weathered the storm and began to threaten once again. Christian Mawissa struck the woodwork with a speculative long-range effort, whilst Casseres also squandered a great chance after he was left unmarked inside the Monaco box. However, Toulouse would regain the lead thanks to Logan Costa, who slotted home from a corner after Balogun missed his chance to clear.

It was not the former Arsenal forward’s day; it hasn’t been his season either. Balogun was immediately withdrawn to boos at the Stade Louis II and replaced by Eliesse Ben Seghir, who had the best of Monaco’s chances to equalise. The Diagonale academy product drew a good save from Restes. He then put the ball in the net minutes later, but his goal was ruled out for offside.

Monaco player ratings

Philipp Köhn – 3

Despite making five saves and being assured in his distribution, his error on Toulouse’s first goal was game-changing. The Swiss goalkeeper was all at sea as Sierro beat him with a smart effort at the near post. His slow reaction compounded the error in positioning meaning that he failed to even get a touch on the ball.

Ismail Jakobs – 4

Mohamed Salisu – 5

Guillermo Maripán – 4

The Chilean seems to being targeted by teams and his lack of pace is being regularly exposed, be it in a back three or a back four. He was lucky not to have been cautioned for his tackle on Casseres in the first half and the assuredness that he was provided in past seasons has simply not been present this campaign.

Thilo Kehrer – 4

Youssouf Fofana – 5

Denis Zakaria – 5

Mohamed Camara – N/A

He struggled in the early stages and was often half a second late in duels, meaning that he was bypassed with ease. Withdrawn in the 23rd minute after having gone down with a knee injury in the 19th minute and replaced by the promising Mamadou Coulibaly (5).

Takumi Minamino – 7

The outstanding player on the pitch. The Japanese international was influential, finding pockets of space and using the ball to great effect, putting balls in behind and creating danger. In a lethargic Monaco side, he played the game at a different pace. Minamino was the only player to gain any credit in a match in which Monaco were lacking energy both collectively and individually.

Folarin Balogun – 3

Balogun’s season is going from bad to worse. The goals haven’t flowed at any point this season since his move to the Principality club from Arsenal in the summer. He had the chances to add to his account against Toulouse but lacked the confidence and the clinical edge to convert. Having missed the chance to put Les Monégasques ahead, he played a starring role in seeing them go behind, missing his near post clearance for Costa’s goal. He was then immediately withdrawn to the sound of boos. He has a lot of work to do to validate Monaco’s heavy investment in him.

Maghnes Akliouche – 6

GFFN | Luke Entwistle