Despite great domination and 26 shots taken, including 11 on target, the Rouge et Blanc lost on the Montpellier pitch (2-1).
A frustrating setback. The AS Monaco players suffered from the realism of their opponent and had to give in on the Mosson pitch, under the eyes of President Dmitry Rybolovlev, present in the stands. Report. ✍️
The context ????
At the heart of a more difficult situation in terms of results and eliminated from the Coupe de France in the middle of the week, the Rouge et Blanc want to raise their heads against Montpellier, bottom of the championship. To do this, they will be able to draw inspiration from the last three confrontations in which they systematically won.
We're not in the best situation on the pitch but we have to stay positive, communicate positively, believe in ourselves and in our style of play. It's nonsense to always talk about bad things. We want to get out of this quickly, that’s clear.
Adi HütterIn press conference before the match
The composition ????
At the start of this meeting, Adi Hütter made five changes compared to the 16th in the Coupe de France with the entries of Radoslaw Majecki, who finds his place as goalkeeper, Jordan Teze, Thilo Kehrer, Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Biereth. The latter is thus experiencing his first tenure in the Principality at the forefront of the attack and will be supported by Eliesse Ben Seghir and Takumi Minamino in a 4-2-3-1.
The scenario ????
Faced with the red lantern, the Monegasques immediately wanted to show their superiority and Eliesse Ben Seghir saw his sublime shot diverted by Benjamin Lecomte for a corner (2nd). The Moroccan international then failed twice (11th) (17th), while Mohammed Salisu also came up against the former red and white on a set piece (15th).
Lamine in pancake mode, Thilo's helmet shot
The Montpellier residents responded immediately with Moussa Al-Tamari and his shot flirted with Radoslaw Majecki's post (25th). A small scare which does not slow down the domination of the players of the Principality club who obtain yet another corner. Hit by Lamine Camara, Thilo Kehrer cuts at the near post and opens the scoring (32nd). His fourth goal of the season!
The best young African is the author of his fourth assist. The Polish goalkeeper is then vigilant in front of Wahbi Khazri by winning his duel (35th). The first period ends with a 17th Monegasque attempt by Maghnes Akliouche but he also comes up against Benjamin Lecomte (45th).
A twist of fate synonymous with equalization
The second half was more balanced and Al Tamari took advantage of a defensive error to equalize before the hour mark (55th). In the process, the Monegasque technician makes a triple change with the entries of Caio Henrique, Vanderson and Lucas Michal (61st). And it was again from a corner from Lamine Camara that AS Monaco created an opportunity but Soungoutou Magassa's header was pushed away by Lecomte (73rd).
Raising your head in the Champions League
Breel Embolo and Aleksandr Golovin then appear to try to make the difference but it is Montpellier who doubles the lead by the Jordanian international on a counter (82nd). The Red and Whites go all out and Mika Biereth tries his luck at the near post, Lecomte lays down well (93rd).
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Soungoutou Magassa tries his turn but here again, Lecomte is vigilant (96th). It was the last situation of the match and AS Monaco unfortunately had to lose 2-1 on the Montpellier pitch. Now it's time for the return of the Champions League with the reception of Aston Villa on Tuesday at the Stade Louis-II.
Les highlights ????
2nd: Sublime strike from Ben Seghir deflected for a corner by Lecomte
11th: Ben Seghir's attempt at the edge of the area just wide
15th: Salisu cuts a corner from Camara at the near post, repelled by Lecomte
17th: Ben Seghir stumbles again on the Montpellier goalkeeper
25th: Tamari opens her foot too much, her left shot flirts with the post
32nd: Kehrer opens the scoring with a header from a corner (0-1)
35th: Duel won by Majecki ahead of Khazri
45th: After a counter, Akliouche stumbles on Lecomte at the near post
55th: Al Tamari dribbles Majecki and equalizes (1-1)
73rd: Firm hand from Lecomte on a header from Magassa
82nd: Al Tamari deceives Majecki with a shot at the near post (2-1)
93rd: Biereth hits the near post, Lecomte lays down well
96th: Lecomte stops a strike from Magassa at the edge of the area
????️ The match sheet:
Friday January 17 (7 p.m.) – Stade de la Mosson
Ligue 1 – 18th day: Montpellier HSC 2-1 AS Monaco
Half time: 0-1
Buts : Tamari (55th), (82nd) for Montpellier; Kehrer (32nd) for AS Monaco
Yellow cards : Mouanga (81st) for Montpellier; Vanderson (67th) for AS Monaco
Montpellier HSC : Lecomte © – Sylla (Sainte-Luce, 64e), Sagnan, Omeragic, Mouanga (Dzodic, 89e), Tchato – Chotard, Nzigoula (Fayad, 64e), Savanier – Tamari (Maamma, 92e), Khazri (Nordin, 64e)
Substitutes : Bertaud, Chennahi, Dzodic, St. Luke, Fayad, Adams, Issoufou, Mamma, Nordin
Coach : Jean-Louis Gasset
AS Monaco : Majecki – Teze (Vanderson, 65e), Kehrer ©, Salisu, Ouattara (C.Henrique, 61e) – Magassa, Camara – Akliouche (Michal, 61e, Golovin, 81e), Minamino, Ben Seghir (Embolo, 77e) – Biereth
Substitutes : Köhn, C.Henrique, Mawissa, Vanderson, Bouabré, Golovin, Matazo, Embolo, Michal
Coach : Adi Hütter
