A convincing AS Monaco snatches victory in Bologna! | OneFootball

At the end of a very tight match in Bologna, the Rouge et Blanc were able to make the difference at the very end of the game thanks to Thilo Kehrer (0-1), earning victory which brings them considerably closer to the Champions League play-offs.

A giant step towards the Champions League knockout rounds. After holding on together during the first 45 minutes against Bologna, the AS Monaco players were able to make the difference in the second half to win 0-1. It was a narrow but nevertheless crucial victory, acquired under the eyes of President Dmitry Rybolovlev, present at the Renato-Dall’Ara Stadium after supporting the young Monegasques in the Youth League in the afternoon, which brings the Principality club considerably closer to the next round.  ✍️

The context 📅

Still unbeatean after three matches in the Champions League (two wins, one draw), the Rouge et Blanc have the opportunity to almost definitively validate their place in the top 24 in the event of another win in Bologna. But the task promised not to be easy since the Italian team has never lost in a major European competition in its Renato-Dall’Ara stadium (16 wins, 12 draws).

They are a very good team for me, who had a great season last year. This summer, a new experienced coach arrived, in the person of Vincenzo Italiano, who has played in two Europa Conference League finals with Fiorentina. They have a well-defined playing philosophy, with strong scorers and great individual quality.

The eleven 👥

To approach this match, Adi Hütter returned to playing a 4-2-3-1 again with Christian Mawissa starting for the first time in the Champions League at left back. Soungoutou Magassa would play in midfield alongside Lamine Camara, while Breel Embolo would be supported by Aleksandr Golovin, Eliesse Ben Seghir and Maghnes Akliouche.

Thescenario 🎞

In front of more than 300 Monaco supporters present in the away end, it was Bologna who started the match best with a powerful strike from Juan Miranda, which went over the bar (9′). But the first clear chance was for Breel Embolo, whose shot was tipped away by Lukasz Skorupski and ended up hitting the post (15′).

A goal for Wilfried Singo is disallowed

Shortly thereafter, Christian Mawissa blocked an attempt by Giovanni Fabbian (16′). The Rouge et Blanc then thought they have opened the scoring through Wilfried Singo but VAR disallowed his goal for a foul on the Bolognese goalkeeper (19′). It hardly unsettled them, though since they started moving forward again and Aleksandr Golovin had a fine direct free kick. Here too, the opposing goalkeeper did well to clear the ball from his top corner (35′).

High-level goalkeeping

The end of the first half was lively. Radek was first sharp at his near post to deflect a pass from Beukema away for a corner (39′), then Santiago Castro also saw his goal disallowed for offside (41′). The last opportunity fell to Adi Hütter’s men and Maghnes Akliouche. Unfortunately, his left-footed shot was stopped by Skorupski, who had a great night during his first 45 minutes (42nd).

Thilo Kehrer makes the difference!

Both goalkeepers were in great form and it was Radoslaw Majecki’s turn to be decisive by pushing back a shot from Fabbian at his near post (55′). To try to make the difference, coach Adi Hütter decided to bring on Takumi Minamino (71′), Eliot Matazo and Caio Henrique (78′) for the Brazilian’s 150th appearance at AS Monaco.

This coaching almost payed off but the full-back’s cross was cleared for a corner by Lucumi (86′). The corner kick was taken by Aleksandr Golovin which would ultimately prove decisive since Thilo Kehrer, unmarked at the far post, pushed the ball into the back of the net with his right foot (87′) — already his third goal of the season!

The play-offs almost in the bag

It was a major achievement as the Monegasques buckled down and wonin Bologna pitch (0-1) to become the first team to win in this stadium in European competition. Thanks to this third victory of the round, AS Monaco now has 10 points and moves into third, validating almost at the same time its ticket for at least the play-offs. The team now plays in Strasbourg on Saturday (5 p.m.), for the 11th round of Ligue 1. DAGHE MUNEGU! 🇲🇨

Key moments 🎥

9′: Miranda’s powerful shot is over the bar 15′: Skorupski saves Embolo’s shot onto his post 16′: Mawissa blocks a shot from Fabbian 19′: Singo’s goal is disallowed for a foul on Skorupski 35′: Golovin’s sublime free kick is blocked by the Bolognese goalkeeper 39′: Majecki is vigilant at the near post in front of Beukema’s pass 41′: Castro’s goal is disallowed for offside 42′: Akliouche stumbles on Skorupski with his left-footed shot 55′: Fabbian tries his luck at the near post, but Majecki turns it away 86′: Lucumi saves against Embolo 87′: Kehrer scores at the far post from a corner (0-1)

The stat 📊

AS Monaco have 10 points after their first four games in the Champions League this season, the best start they have ever made in a season in the competition. The club from the Principality also becomes the first French team outside Paris SG to have 10 points after their first 4 games in a Champions League season since OL in 2009-2010.

📋 Match details:

Tuesday November 5 (21:00) – Stade Renato-Dall’Ara

Champions League – Matchday 4: Bologna FC 0-1 AS Monaco

Halftime: 0-0

Goals: Kehrer (87′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: Moro (27′), Fabbian (53′), Lucumi (88′) for Bologna; Camara (75′), Mawissa (77′) for AS Monaco

Bologna FC: Skorupski – Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda (Odgaard, 92′) – Freuler ©, Moro (Pobega, 46′) – Iling-Junior (Orsolini, 68′), Fabbian (Ferguson, 81′), Ndoye – Castro (Dallinga, 68′)

Substitutes: Bagnolini, Ravaglia, Casale, Corazza, Lykogiannis, Odgaard, Ferguson, Urbanski, Pobega, Dallinga, Holm, Orsolini