In touch at the break, AS Monaco end up falling to Paris | OneFootball

Level with PSG at the break thanks to Denis Zakaria's fourth goal of the season, the Rouge et Blanc then conceded in three times in the second period at the Parc, losing 4-1.

Despite a huge outpouring of energy, the Rouge et Blanc lost to the undefeated Parisians who remain more alone than ever at the top of Ligue 1. This advanced fixture, played as part of the 21st matchday in Ligue 1 was played out under the eyes of President Dmitry Rybolovlev, who was present at the Parc des Princes. ✍️

The context 📅

On two leages wins in a row after beating Rennes (3-2) and Auxerre (4-2), the players of AS Monaco approached this clash against PSG with confidence and ambition. And it would take that to face a team still undefeated in France this season and which is “one of the best in Europe at the moment”, according to Adi Hütter.

We just played Inter Milan who are also a very big team, even if we can't compare the style of play of these two teams. Arsenal were also a very big opponent I must say. What is certain is that they have very good players, that they play impressive football at the moment.

The XI 👥

In order to approach this big match of the 21st matchday of Ligue 1, the Monegasque manager reintroduced the 4-4-2 system which had worked perfectly during the second half against AJ Auxerre. Thus, Breel Embolo and Mika Biereth once again started in in attack, supported by Maghnes Akliouche and Takumi Minamino. Caio Henrique also found a starting place on the left flank, while Christian Mawissa played in central defense alongside Thilo Kehrer.

The scenario 🎞

In front of a full Monaco away end filled with 1,000 supporters, the Rouge et Blanc created the first opportunity of the game through Takumi Minamino but the latter came up short against Gianluigi Donnarumma (5′). Shortly thereafter, Désiré Doué obtained a free kick on the edge of the area which was unfortunately scored  by Vitinha (6′).

Captain Zak’ for the equalizer

Despite this early opening of the score, Adi Hütter’s men were unbowed and were rewarded at the end of the first quarter of an hour. On a marvel of collective play, Soungoutou Magassa found Denis Zakaria, who finished with the help of the post (17′), scoring his fourth goal of the season in all competitions.

The match was lively and Bradley Barcola sees his goal logically disallowed because the ball had gone out beforehand (27′). AS Monaco responded and its Japanese international crosses in front of the goal but Mika Biereth was just short (36′). Ousmane Dembélé and his fellow former Rennes player tried in turn (38′), (45+1′). It was without success and halftime came with the score level (1-1).

Three challenging minutes

After the restart, as usual, the Parisians had a monopoly on the ball and would succeed in breaking the game open in barely three minutes. First there was Khvicha Kvaratshkhelia who, after faking an attempt, of shot, scored from close range (54′), before yet another goal by the top scorer in the French top flight, Dembélé, at the near post (57th). It was tough… In the meantime, the Monaco goalkeeper had kept out a shot from the Georgian (56′).

A debut for Al-Musrati

After these challenging few minutes, Adi Hütter made a triple change with the entries of Aleksandr Golovin, Eliesse Ben Seghir and Moatasem Al-Musrati for his debut (63′). This rotation rebalanced the match but did not prevent the club from the Capital from showing itself to be dangerous again, as Fabian Ruiz shot wide (73′) before Dembélé was denied by Radek’ (74′).

The AS Monaco goalkeeper then won his duel against Gonçalo Ramos with a fingertip save (84′), before Golo’ sent in a powerful strike from 30 meters which was caught by Donnarumma (85′). The last word finally went to PSG, who scored a fourth goal by Dembélé just added time (90′).

Lift our heads against Benfica

This was the last chance of the match, which ended with a score of 4-1 in favor of Paris. While waiting for the results of the weekend, the Rouge et Blanc remain provisionally third  before hosting Nantes next Saturday (19:00). But before that, it will be time for the Champions League as the team welcomes Benfica to the Stade Louis-II on Wednesday (21:00).

Key moments 🎥

5′: Minamino shoots wildly from the penalty spot but is denied by Donnarumma 6′: Vitinha opens the scoring with a direct free kick from the edge of the area (1-0) 17′: Found by Magassa, Zakaria equalizes with the help of the post (1-1) 27′: Goal disallowed for Barcola when the ball had gone out at the end line 36′: Minamino crosses in front of the goal but Biereth is just short 38′: Dembélé tries his luck from 25 meters, but it only flirts with Majecki’s goal 45+1′: A shot is overhit by Doué as it flashes wide 54′: Kvaratshkhelia doubles the lead for PSG (2-1) 56′: Majecki is vigilant and stops the Georgian’s shot 57′: Dembélé scores with a strong effort at the near post (3-1) 73′: Ruiz’s shot goes wide of Majecki’s foal 74′: A powerful strike by Dembélé deflected by Radek’s fists 84′: Majecki wins his duel with a fingertip save against Ramos 85′: A powerful strike by Golovin is caught by Donnarumma 90′: A double for Dembélé who finishes off a Parisian counter (4-1)

🗓️ Match details:

Friday February 7 (21:05) – Parc des Princes

Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Matchday 21: Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 AS Monaco

Halftime: 1-1

Goals: Vitinha (6′), Kvaratshkhelia (54′), Dembélé (57′), (90′) for PSG; Zakaria (17′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: Doué (28′) for PSG

Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma – João Neves, Marquinhos ©, Pacho, Nuno Mendes – Ruiz, Vitinha, Doué (Lee, 63′) – Barcola (Hernandez, 63′), Dembélé, Kvaratshkhelia (Ramos, 67′)

Substitutes: Safonov, Tenas, Beraldo, Hakimi, Hernandez, Kimpembe, Zague, Lee, Ramos

Manager: Luis Enrique

AS Monaco: Majecki – Vanderson, Kehrer, Mawissa, C.Henrique (Diatta, 76′) – Akliouche, Magassa (Al-Musrati, 62′), Zakaria ©, Minamino (Golovin, 63′) – Biereth Ben Seghir, 63′), Embolo (Michal, 84′)