AS Monaco gets back to winning ways against Stade Brestois

At the end of a tough and hotly contested encounter, the Rouge et Blanc won against an enterprising Breton side, allowing them to return to third place. It’s a result that we owe to Denis Zakaria and Aleksandr Golovin, the two goalscorers on the evening.

This one felt good! Under the eyes of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and the President of AS Monaco, Dmitry Rybolovlev, the Principality club got back to winning ways against Stade Brestois after a hard-fought match. (2-0). It’s a win which allows our Rouge et Blanc to keep their position in third place in the Ligue 1 table.

The context

Stunned away to Lille (2-0), the Rouge et Blanc had only one objective: to react, as coach Adi Hütter said at a press conference. Winners of their last two home matches against Marseille and Metz, they would however have to be wary of Stade Brestois, who came into the match in sixth place and who were coming off an encouraging performance, despite a defeat, against PSG.

The eleven

At kick-off on this, the 11th matchday of Ligue 1, the Monegasque manager decides to switch back to 3-4-2-1 with Soungoutou Magassa, Guillermo Maripán and Wilfried Singo in defence. Folarin Balogun led the line alone, supported by Aleksandr Golovin and Maghnes Akliouche, while the wingback positions were occupied by Krépin Diatta and Ismail Jakobs.

The scenario

In a Stade Louis-II well stocked with the presence of nearly 5,000 youngsters who came to the match thanks to the “Tous au Stade” inititiative, the Rouge et Blanc wanted to start the match well. And in the second minute, following a poorly cleared corner, Soungoutou Magassa produced a powerful strike, which was captured by Marco Bizot (2′). Then Denis Zakaria, from a tight angle, took his shot as well, but his effort was over the bar.

Zakaria puts AS Monaco a ”head”

However, they were very close to being caught cold when Jérémy Le Douaron seemed to open the scoring at the far post. Fortunately, a foul in the build-up by Pierre Lees-Melou was reviewed by the VAR and the goal was therefore flagged off (11′). On the other hand, there was no possible dispute when, from a corner delivered by Aleksandr Golovin, Denis Zakaria headed home past the Brest goalkeeper. It was his first goal in his new colors and a second assist on the season for the Russian.

A story of disallowed goals

Now in front, our Monégasques and especially Krépin Diatta, had to be solid to keep out a volley from Brendan Chardonnet (18th). Ball possession favored the Rouge et Blanc at the start of the match and after a nice combination between Golo’, Maghnes Akliouche and Folarin Balogun, the latter beat the goalkeeper after taking the ball off the feet of the defence. It was unfortunately refused for a slight offside on the part of the American (24′).

This first half hour was definitely a story of goals being refused since this time it was the Bretons’ turn to think that they had equalised. Except that Lilian Brassier was very rightly signaled offside by the referee on a free kick taken by Kenny Lala (27′). Following these refereeing decisions, the match became very choppy and a real battle took place in the heart of midfield.

Golo’, the top corner again and again

Philipp Köhn had to nevertheless remain attentive to properly read a cross from Romain Del Castillo, intended for Steve Mounié at the penalty spot (55′). Then on the next play, after an error from Chardonnet, Balo went to challenge Marco Bizot but he had his effort blocked at the last minute by Brassier (56′). In an attempt to double the lead, Adi Hütter then brought on some fresh players in the form of Wissam Ben Yedder shortly after the hour mark.

And on one of his first touches, he found Balogun who played in Youss’ with a one-touch pass. The midfielder then entered the area before crossing to where Aleksandr Golovin was. After a first touch, he let fly with a curling effort which lodged (again) in the top corner (69′). It was a great finish from a player who had just scored for the fifth time in 2023-2024.

Success smiles on the Rouge et Blanc

Despite this two-goal deficit, the Brestois did not give up and the win was well-earned by the Monegasques. From a corner, Brendan Chardonnet’s header hit the left post (71′), and then Pierre Lees-Melou’s powerful shot was turned on to the bar by Köhn (77′). Following these dangerous chances, the coach of La Diagonale made two new changes, notably bringing on Kassoum Ouattara, for the first time (80′).

Back to winning ways

These two scares having passed, AS Monaco moved forward again and Takumi Minamino, who had come on at the same time as the former Amiens player, believed he had added a third with a shot from 25 meters but its trajectory was well read by Marco Bizot (85′). This was also true of an attempt by the new Monegasque recruit (90+1′). Hard-fought to the end, the match finally ended with 11 against 10 since Lilian Brassier was sent off in added time for a heavy foul on Myron Boadu (90+3′)

The Rouge et Blanc therefore won by the score of 2-0 and reacted in the best possible way after the defeat suffered in Lille. They thus regained third place, two points behind leaders Nice. The team’s next match is in Le Havre next Saturday (9 p.m.), for what will be their last before the new international break.

Source: www.asmonaco.com