Strong against Saint-Étienne, AS Monaco returns to the podium | OneFootball

After a match in which they demonstrated seriousness and solidity, the Rouge et Blanc won against Les Verts at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard (1-3), a result which thus puts them back on the podium.

A win was essential to remain fully in the Champions League race, and this was achieved after a solid performance on the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard pitch against Saint-Etienne (1-3). It was an important victory as the AS Monaco players temporarily climbed to second place in the league. Recap  ✍️

The context 📅

After a draw against Le Havre ;ast weekend, AS Monaco players had almost no room for error in their quest for the podium. A good result away to Saint-Etienne, a team fighting for survival, therefore seemed necessary. But if the gap in places was significant today, we had tobe wary because Les Verts would be cheered by a lively crowd.

Right now, everyone is focused on Saint-Etienne, with the desire to put in a great performance. We're going to face a team fighting for survival, and who will be cheered on by a fantastic crowd. It's therefore an important match for both teams.

The XI 👥

At kickoff at Matchday 32, Adi Hütter had to deal with the suspension of Lamine Camara, who was replaced by Soungoutou Magassa alongside Denis Zakaria. Christian Mawissa and Takumi Minamino returned to the starting XI, as did Folarin Balogun, almost five months after an injury. The American striker started alongside Mika Biereth up front.

The scenario 🎞

In front of 500 Monaco supporters in the away end, the Rouge et Blanc started perfectly and at the end of a marvelous team move, Caio Henrique crossed to Maghnes Akliouche, alone at the far post, who finished with his left foot (2′). The attacking midfielder, who scored after just one minute 18 minutes of play, had simply scored the fastest goal for AS Monaco this season.

Chances to double the lead

Les Verts responded immediately, and Irvin Cardona saw his chipped ball go wide (6′). The match was lively, and the Principality club’s number 11 came close to scoring again, but his cross to Breel Embolo, who had come on as a substitute for the injured Mika Biereth after fifteen minutes, was deflected by Larsonneur (21′). In form from the start, Maghnes would then stand out again, but lost his duel with the goalkeeper (29′).

Al-Musrati responds to Davitashvili

The Rouge et Blanc were ahead by a goal at halftime and came close to doubling the lead through Breel Embolo, but his header was deflected off a perfect cross from the hosts. Jordan Teze‘s effort then went over (53′). Caution was needed, however, as in the same minute, Zuriko Davitashvili’s attempt flew wide (53′). However, Monaco continued to dominate, and Folarin Balogun’s curled shot went wide (63′).

Unfortunately, the Georgian would find Köhn’s top corner with a curled shot, leveling the score (65′). There was no reason to hesitate, however, and Moatasem Al-Musrati, who had come on a few moments earlier, gave AS Monaco a chance to regain the lead with a shot from the edge of the box (68’), his first goal in the Monaco jersey.

A successful comeback for Balo’

Despite this advantage, the Rouge et Blanc continued to push, and on a through ball from Maghnes Akliouche, Folarin Balogun, played the offside, and coolly beat Gauthier Larsonneur, scoring his fourth goal of the season (78′). It was this a successful return for him, having regained a starting spot almost five months later!

Having provided the ninth assist this season in the league—a record for a Monegasque—the #MadeInLaDiagonale midfielder immediately gave way to Krépin Diatta, feeling a sense of accomplishment (82′). The match looked set, but Les Verts didn’t give up, and Wadji’s header went over from six meters (88′).

Second place temporarily reclaimed

It was the last chance of this match, synonymous with a 3-1 victory for AS Monaco against Saint-Etienne at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. It was a  precious win since Adi Hütter’s men are now back provisionally in second place ahead of the match between Lille and Marseille tomorrow. It’s enough to approach a visit from Olympique Lyonnais next Saturday (9 p.m.) to the Stade Louis-II with more peace of mind. DAGHE MUNEGU !!!! 🇲🇨

Key moments 🎥

2′: Akliouche opens the scoring after a marvelous team move (0-1) 6′: Cardona’s chipped ball goes just wide 21′: Akliouche’s low cross is cut out by Larsonneur 29′: Akliouche stumbles over Larsonneur in a one-on-one 53′: Embolo heads over after a Teze cross 53′: Davitashvili misses as his shot goes wide 63′: Balogun curls a shot wide 65′: Davitashvili finds the top corner with a curled shot (1-1) 68′: Al-Musrati responds to Davitashvili’s goal with a long-range strike (1-2) 78′: Balogun wins his one-on-one and doubles the lead (1-3) 88′: Wadji’s header goes over

🗓️ Match details:

Saturday May 3 (21:05) – Stade Geoffroy-Guichard

Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Matchday 32: Saint-Etienne 1-3 AS Monaco

Halftime: 0-1

Goals: Davitashvili (65′) for Saint-Etienne; Akliouche (2′), Al-Musrati (68′), Balogun (78′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: none

Saint-Etienne: Larsonneur © – Appiah (Maçon, 90′), Bernauer, Nadé, Pétrot – Ekwah, Moueffek (Mouton, 71′), Tardieu (Sissoko, 90′) – Cardona (Old, 71′), N’Guessan (Wadji, 46′), Davitashvili

Substitutes: Maubleu, Abdelhamid, Maçon, Batubinsika, Fomba, Mouton, Old, Sissoko, Wadji

Manager: Eirik Horneland

AS Monaco: Köhn – Teze (Vanderson, 63′), Singo, Mawissa, C.Henrique – Akliouche (Diatta, 82′), Magassa (Al-Musrati, 63′), Zakaria ©, Minamino – Biereth (Embolo, 15′) (Ben Seghir, 82′), Balogun