CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2024-2025 – In a very rhythmic and pleasant match to watch, Monaco won at the opening of the 7e day of the Champions League championship phase against Aston Villa (1-0). The Monegasques are taking a giant step towards qualifying for the final phase.
This Tuesday, January 21 marked the big return of the Champions League after several weeks of break. L’AS Monacocurrently 16th in the rankings, hosted the English teamAston Villasurprising 5th, for the penultimate day of the championship phase. Important match for the Principality club, since Monaco have not yet secured their qualification and must obtain a result today, before a perilous trip to Inter Milan on the final day. No surprises in the composition ofAdi Hütterwho has no major absence, apart from that of Balogun. The Austrian coach will thus be able to rely on his essential executives, such as Denis Zakaria, Takumi Minamino et Breel Embolo.
Monaco strikes hard from the start against the “Villans”
The Monegasques did not wait long and quickly returned to their match. From the 8th minute, a corner taken by Camara find the head of Thilo Kehrerforcing the Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in a spectacular two-handed display. Wilfried Singo is on the lookout and propels the ball into the back of the net with a header from close range. L’AS Monaco takes the lead 1-0. This goal is characteristic of the Rouge et Blanc, since it is the ninth scored from a corner this season by the Monegasques. We don’t go far from the break from the 15e minute, Aklioucheperfectly served by Ben Seghirtriggers a first-intention strike from entering the area. Emiliano Martinez watches and repels the shot with authority.
Aston Villa wakes up and begins to gradually take control of the ball, well helped it must be said by a team of Monaco more in score management now, but the Monegasque defense remains solid, preventing Villa’s to be truly dangerous. Opportunities are rare for the English. The first serious attempt comes on a free kick from Lucas Digne from 25 meters at the half-hour mark, but his shot was captured without difficulty by Majecki. The Polish goalkeeper made a great achievement in the 36th minute with a shot from Leon Baileythus reassuring his teammates while they seem to be in more and more difficulty at the end of the first period. He shows once again that he is the man of this first period by winning his head to head against Watkins in added time of the first period. A few seconds later, Akliouche misses the opportunity to take the break just before the half-time whistle. Monaco returns to the locker room with a one-goal advantage at the break.
-And resists the assaults of Aston Villa
WhileAston Villa starts the second period with a strong rhythm, Monaco believes he doubles the lead in the 49th minute, but the young nugget Maghnes Akliouche is signaled in an offside position, therefore canceling the goal. While the Villa’s intensify their pressure, setting fire to the Monegasque defense, the 63rd minute could well be a turning point in the match. On one against two against one, Minamino, too greedy, forget to serve Plungerperfectly placed, and loses the ball. Monaco comes close to doubling the bet. Faced with the offensive ineffectiveness of his team, Unai Emery decides to react by adjusting its tactical plan to bring more weight up front. He modifies his setup, going from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2, and then combines John Duran et Ollie Watkins at the forefront, an unusual duo since the two players generally alternate in this scoring position. But Monaco remains solid defensively, while sometimes trying to take advantage of a few counterattacks. Decisive in the first half, Radoslaw Majecki continues his recital in the second half. The last Monegasque rampart is very authoritarian in the air, particularly on set pieces, where his interventions prove important in relieving his defense.
It’s off to a good start for French clubs in Europe: courageous victory forAS Monacowhich opens the doors wide for them to the long-awaited final phase of the Champions League. Monaco therefore ensures a European spring and can now dream big.
