Two matches, one victory, one draw and four points: Monaco is still undefeated in all competitions this season.
This Wednesday evening, the Monegasques sought a good point against Dinamo Zagreb (2-2), in Croatia and in the Champions League.
With this draw, Denis Zakaria’s partners are in 14th place in the league phase. Ahead of their final six matches, they are currently qualified for the play-offs scheduled for February.
In pouring rain, Adi Hütter’s men started their match in 4-2-3-1 and abandoned the 4-4-2 used during the last Ligue 1 matches, against Le Havre (3-1) and Montpellier (2-1).
Embolo started alone up front, while Folarin Balogun started on the bench like Ben Seghir. Kehrer found the axis of defense next to Salisu. The German had been spared against the HAC.
On a lawn saturated with water and at the limit of the passable area, ASM was surprised by a lethal counter-attack concluded by Sucic with a nice dive ball on which Köhn was unable to do anything (1-0, 45’+ 3).
This goal came from one of the strengths of the Croatian team, who had two other opportunities, on a free kick from Baturina poorly repelled by Salisu, very close to the own goal (2′), then on a acrobatic return from Petkovic (9′).
On another counter, Petkovic had stumbled on Köhn, author of a nice save, but the Croatian international was rightly flagged offside (45′).
The Principality club, for its part, saw Minamino come up against Nevistic at close range (13′). After that, the Monegasques, who held the ball, had great difficulty creating chances. They played a more direct game than usual, particularly due to the state of the pitch, without much success.
Balogun and Ilenikhena launched at the break
At the break, Hütter therefore returned to 4-4-2. Ilenikhena and Balogun teamed up again, replacing Embolo and Golovin. The Swiss, unable to keep balls with his back to goal, received a blow to the head from a cross from Henrique. His forehead colliding with Torrente’s skull (36′).
A choice which did not bear fruit immediately since the Monegasques were not more dangerous. They even conceded a second goal on a clear strike from Baturina (2-0, 66′). ASM was dominated in the commitment by Dinamo of former Monegasque Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel.
But they believed in it until the end and reduced the gap with the help of a corner from Akliouche. Salisu placed a winning header taking advantage of a slip from Nevistic. Minamino had the equalizer at the end of his head but Torrente cleared on his line.
Then Monaco snatched the equalizer after a foul by Bernauer on Balogun. Zakaria wrong-footed Nevistic without batting an eyelid (2-2, 90′).
ASM will return to Ligue 1 on Saturday evening in Rennes (9 p.m.). Then it will be time for the international break. For their next outing in C1, the Rouge et Blanc will host Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday October 22 at 6:45 p.m.
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