In a captivating encounter, AS Monaco leaped back into winning form, overcoming RC Strasbourg Alsace with a late surge to clinch a 3-1 victory. Eliesse Ben Seghir emerged as the key figure, driving his team to end a disheartening two-match losing streak in Ligue 1 and narrowing the gap to league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
The term “efficiency in both boxes” has been a recurring theme in football discussions. Unfortunately for Monaco, they lacked this quality in the first half, which cost them dearly. Breel Embolo had a golden opportunity, courtesy of Takumi Minamino’s clever pass. Yet, the chance went begging as he struck his shot too close to Djordje Petrovic, allowing the Chelsea loanee to deny him with a solid save.
Capitalizing on their undeserved reprieve, Strasbourg struck first. After a dramatic exchange following a clash between Guéla Doué and Radoslaw Majecki, Doué recovered quickly, finding the net at the near post. Monaco had their own scare when Dilane Bakwa, failing to keep his nerves in check during a one-on-one situation, slid his effort wide, evading the target just inches away.
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As the second half rolled in, Lamine Camara came close with a well-taken free-kick. However, it was not until the dying moments that Monaco began to exert pressure on Petrovic. The previously timid Eliesse Ben Seghir transformed into the heartbeat of his team in the final third, and it was his effort that got deflected onto the line by Diego Moreria’s hand—the incident that opened the door for a penalty.
With conviction, Ben Seghir took the responsibility and converted the penalty, sending Petrovic the wrong way. Moments later, he secured the winner, receiving a precise pass from Maghnes Akliouche and displaying remarkable composure inside the box. In a twist of fate, Strasbourg’s Saïdou Sow made an error right from the kick-off, allowing George Ilenikhena to dart through and score Monaco’s third—a significant milestone for him in Ligue 1 since his summer arrival.
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Ilenikhena looked solid in his left-wing-back role, demonstrating an admirable growth in confidence. However, he marred an otherwise commendable performance with a costly handball—a pivotal moment that allowed Monaco to draw level. Nevertheless, his desire to atone for his mistake was evident through his tireless efforts and incisive runs that caused problems for the Strasbourg defense.
Andrey Santos delivered a steady display, managing possession effectively and winning 13 out of 16 duels. Initially, he bore some responsibility for Strasbourg’s opener, but it was his quick distribution that set the stage for Monaco’s second goal.
In the absence of Denis Zakaria, Magassa stepped up notably, providing a commanding presence that allowed Monaco to build efficiently from the back.
Eliesse Ben Seghir’s performance was a rollercoaster; despite struggling with possession early on and losing the ball multiple times, he found his footing when it mattered most—scoring the equalizer and later securing the winner, cementing his status as the match-winner. On the opposing side, the Swiss international had mixed fortunes, especially in front of goal. A couple of missed chances in the first half could have altered the dynamics, and though he was substituted at halftime, his replacement, George Ilenikhena, ensured the scoring continued.
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