Thanks to goals from Wissam Ben Yedder, Eliesse Ben Seghir and Breel Embolo, the Rouge et Blanc won 3-2 against the Burgundian side, their sixth match without defeat.
It was a victory won with great determination! In a game rich in goals and thanks to a very good first half, AS Monaco won 3-2 against AJ Auxerre at the Stade Louis-II and thus increased their unbeaten streak to six (four wins, two draws). The win also allows them to stay in fourth place and get closer to Lens.
The context
Only four days after the draw at the Stade Vélodrome (1-1), the Rouge et Blanc hosted AJ Auxerre at the Stade Louis-II, as part of the 21st matchday. This was done with the aim of continuing their current run of good form (three wins, two draws) which had started 35 days earlier at the Stade Abbé-Deschamps, in the reverse fixture.
The eleven
To try to get the three points, Philippe Clement chose to keep the same system as has been seen for the last few weeks, namely a 4-2-3-1. However, two changes were worth noting compared to the match in Marseille, with the return of Mohamed Camara from suspension and Gelson Martins playing on the right wing in place of Krépin Diatta, who was absent this evening.
The scenario
Just like their last two matches, against Ajaccio (7-1) and Marseille (1-1), AS Monaco made a very good start and dominated the ball. The first opportunity came in the 8th minute from Axel Disasi who tried a long shot, only to see it drift slightly over the crossbar (8′). Their domination was finally rewarded three minutes later by the inevitable Wissam Ben Yedder with a shot from the left (11′). With this goal, he thus becomes the third-top scorer in the Club’s history, with 90 goals.
Eliesse Ben Seghir runs it back
Despite scoring the opener, the Rouge et Blanc did not let go of their grip on the game, even as Gelson Martins lost his duel against Ionut-Andrei Radu, who did well to take the ball off his feet (13′). However, the Auxerre goalkeeper could do nothing after half an hour of play on a sublime strike from Eliesse Ben Seghir who popped up at the near post (30′). It was his third goal of the season, and three against… Auxerre. The Burgundian reaction was somewhat timid with an effort from from Isaak Touré going over (34′), without being dangerous for Alex Nübel.
The start of the second half, on the other hand, was more balanced. Christophe Pélissier’s men then gained confidence over the minutes, and played the ball long, as Matthis Abline reduced the lead by winning his duel against the Monegasque goalkeeper (68′). Now on their way, they were even close to equalizing but Nuno Da Costa’s attempt hit the post (72′).
A victory won with determination
This occasion would wake up the players of AS Monaco who were getting forward well and after a great collective bit of play, Vanderson found Breel Embolo in the area. The Swiss striker did not hesitate and sends a missile under the bar of Radu (82′) for his 11th goal of the season. But there was no time to savor it since Auxerre quickly reduced the lead again through Nuno Da Costa (85′). It was without consequence, though, as the score would remaining as it was for the last ten minutes.
The Rouge et Blanc therefore won 3-2 and extended their unbeaten run to six in the league (four wins, two draws). This result allows them to stay fourth and come back to within four points of Lens, who were beaten by Nice.
The highlights
8′ A strike from 25 meters by Axel Disasi passes just above the crossbar
11′ The scoring is opened by Wissam Ben Yedder with a shot across goal from the left (1-0)
13′ Gelson Martins loses his duel against Ionut-Andrei Radu
30′ Eliesse Ben Seghir doubles the lead with a shot at the edge of the area (2-0)
34′ Isaak Touré’s attempt is over the bar
68′ Reduction of the lead by Matthis Abline (2-1)
72′ Nuno Da Costa hits the post
82′ Goal by Breel Embolo who sends a missile just under the bar (3-1)
85′ A second goal for Auxerre by Nuno Da Costa (3-2)
