At the end of an impressive match, the Rouge et Blanc won, 3-1, against Paris Saint-Germain thanks to a goal from Aleksandr Golovin and a brace from Wissam Ben Yedder. It was a result that puts them temporarily in second place.
They were ready to make an impression! Against PSG, AS Monaco left the visitors no chance in a match that was mastered start to finish. Quickly in front and carried by a double from Wissam Ben Yedder, they won 3-1 to record their eighth match without defeat.
The context
In sparkling form and still undefeated since the World Cup break (5 wins, 2 draws), the Rouge et Blanc approached this clash against Paris Saint-Germain with full confidence. There was also the desire to bring down the solid Parisian leaders, as was the case during their last two visits to the Stade Louis-II.
The eleven
For this match, coach Philippe Clement was again deprived of Malang Sarr and Vanderson but could count on the return of Eliesse Ben Seghir. He took the opportunity to line up centrally in a 4-2-3-1 in support of Wissam Ben Yedder. The captain was thus playing his 77th match as captain, becoming the player who has started most often with the armband since his return to Ligue 1.
The scenario
In a particularly enthusiastic Stade Louis-II, AS Monaco wanted to hit hard from the start and that’s what they did. Following a superb bit of play by Youssouf Fofana on the left side of the area and after a blocked shot from Wissam Ben Yedder, the ball fell to the feet of Alesksandr Golovin, six meters out. Unmarked, he did not hesitate to beat Gigio Donnarumma from the right and score his fifth goal of the season in Ligue 1 (4′).
Wissam, episode 91…
Dominant by a wide margin, as they have done of late in first halves, the Rouge et Blanc did not let Paris Saint-Germain breathe and were close to doubling the lead through Ruben Aguilar. But his chipped header was blocked by the Parisian goalkeeper before Krépin Diatta put a follow-up over the bar.
It was only a postponement of the inevitable, though. On a heavy bit of pressing by the Senegalese winger, the Monegasque captain recovered the ball in the penalty area and deceived the Parisian goalkeeper with a shot across goal from the right (18′) — his 91st goal for AS Monaco.
Then it was the turn of Ruben Aguilar (27′) and Eliesse Ben Seghir (36′) to be dangerous with strikes from the edge of the area. Both were stopped by Gianluigi Donnarumma who had to do well to prevent a third goal for AS Monaco. They proved decisive since PSG reduced the lead shortly after by Warren Zaire-Emery, unmarked at the far post (39′).
… and 92 just before the break!
If this Parisian goal could have calmed the drive of Philippe Clement’s men, it was not so. Found with a long ball by his captain, the Tsar lost his duel against the Italian goalkeeper (41′). But Donnarumma could do nothing against Wissam Ben Yedder who scored thanks to the help of the left post, after having brought the ball down well (45 + 2′). It was his 92nd goal for AS Monaco and the team’s 26th goal in the first half this season – a record! It was also a first career assist for Eliesse Ben Seghir!
After a lively first half, the second restarted at a slower pace with the Parisians having most of the ball, without really being dangerous in front of the goal of Alexander Nübel. Unlike AS Monaco, who had the biggest chances. The first came through Sergio Ramos who was close to beating his own goalkeeper (74′) and then Breel Embolo, barely into the game, whose effort was cleared off the line by Marquinhos (78′).
A classy win
The Swiss striker, very energetic, was once again dangerous a few minutes later at the near post (83′). Vigilant, Gianluigi Donnarumma was nevertheless alert and kept his effort our. And he did the same with a strike by Takumi Minamino, also on in the 72nd minute, in added time to prevent an even more definitive final score (90 + 2′).
This was how this match ended, with an impressive victory by AS Monaco against PSG. It was an eighth match without defeat, which saw them go second before the rest of the matches of the round. Up next is the Europa League, with a trip to Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 32.
The highlights
4′: Goal by Aleksandr Golovin who beats Gianluigi Donnarumma from close range (1-0)
14′: A chipped header by Aguilar is diverted by Donnarumma, and then a shot by Diatta is over the bar
18′: A shot across goal by Wissam Ben Yedder beats the Parisian goalkeeper (2-0)
27′: Superb stop by Donnarumma who keeps a shot by Aguilar out of the top corner
36′: A shot is on target from the right by Ben Seghir, but it lacks power
39′: Warren Zaire-Emery scores to reduce the deficit (2-1)
41′: Golo is denied the third in a one-on-one
45 + 2′: Another goal by Wissam Ben Yedder, thanks to the help of the left post (3-1)
74′: Sergio Ramos is close to beating his own goalkeeper
78′: Miraculous clearance by Marquinhos to deny Breel Embolo
83′: An effort by Embolo is stopped at the near post by Donnarumma
90+2′: Another save by Donnarumma to deny Takumi Minamino
