Takumi Minamino is the first MVP of the season against Les Verts | OneFootball

The only scorer in the match against Saint-Etienne and involved in most of Monaco's best actions, the Japanese playmaker was named man of the match by the Rouge et Blanc supporters on the AS Monaco App.

He was the “key player” of the first matchday in Ligue 1 McDonald’s! Already the first scorer of last season at the Stade Louis-II, Takumi Minamino did the same Saturday against Saint-Etienne, in being the only scorer for the Rouge et Blanc in their first match at home (1-0). His goal helped seal three points as an ideal way to start the Club’s centenary season.

There were a lot of offensive moves, as shown by Taki's goal, where one player dropped back, while the other took a deep run. That was also the case with Balo', it's interesting. It's still the first match, we're happy with this result but we know that we can improve in several areas.

A moment of inspiration! 🎯

He was essential from the start of the match, seeing his first goal denied after a superb three-man action with Eliesse Ben Seghir and Breel Embolo (17′). Shortly thereafter, it was he who played in Folarin Balogun who narrowly missed the target (26′). Just before a moment of real liberation, when he rewarded us with a subtle lob on a pinpoint pass from Vanderson, to beat Gautier Larsonneur (1-0, 29′)!

At the beginning or end of every chance 🎻

Taki – Vandi, the same duo that kicked off the 2023-2024 season, but in reverse order, in a win over Clermont (2-4). And it doesn’t stop there, since the Japanese player shot from afar right after the interval, but without success (47′), before coming up short against the Saint-Etienne goalkeeper (51′). He finally got on the end of a cutback from Maghnes Akliouche, to make his opponent shine one last time (71′).

A 7 in L’Équipe and MVP 🥇

It is therefore not surprising to see the man of the hour, whose goal was ultimately enough to beat Les Verts (1-0), and rewarded with a 7 in the newspaper L’Équipe, be voted MVP of the match by the fans on the AS Monaco App almost unanimously (82%).

Note that the summer suits him well, since the Monaco number 18 has now been involved in 20 goals in Ligue 1 (11 goals, 9 assists)… including more than a third in August (7). Already named MVP by Bang & Olufsen last season, he was therefore not long in getting back in the saddle. Bravo Taki’ ! 🏆

*In parentheses, the number of match MVPs a player has won in the season