A serious AS Monaco beats L'Union Saint-Jean to reach the Round of 32

They were not caught out. On their entry into the Coupe de France, the AS Monaco players perfectly negotiated their first match of the competition against L’Union Saint-Jean, a Regional 1 club, by winning 4-1 at the Stadium de Toulouse.✍️

The context 📅

Beaten by PSG Wednesday, our Rouge et Blanc wanted to put a good finish on for the Round of 64 of the Coupe de France. Against L’Union Saint-Jean, playing in the Régional 1, they would logically start as favourites but did not wish to underestimate their opponents, as coach Adi Hütter said in his pre-match press conference.

The XI 👥

To approach this entry into the competition, Adi Hütter made a few changes, notably with Yann Lienard’s first professional appearance. Jordan Teze returned to a starting spot as a right back, while Vanderson would higher up the pitch. Soungoutou Magassa and Eliot Matazo would start in midfield, while Eliesse Ben Seghir and Takumi Minamino lined up in support of Breel Embolo, alone to lead the line.

The scenario 🎞

From the start of the match, the Rouge et Blanc had a monopoly on the ball and Takumi Minamino saw his shot blocked by a defender (10′), before coming up short against Rabyi, whom he had tried to chip (17′). The opposing goalkeeper could do nothing though about a shot from Eliesse Ben Seghir, ideally found at the back by Breel Embolo (20′). Already having scored against PSG, the Moroccan international did the same four days later.

Vandi’ to double the lead, Yann Lienard with a big save

After this opening goal, the Monegasque domination increased. Jordan Teze’s shot from 30 meters went over (27′), then one from the Japanese midfielder hit the post (32′), before a shot on the turn by our the number 36 flashed over (35′). This impressive period  would finally be concretized two minutes later when Vanderson doubled the lead from close range (37′).

𝗩𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡 !!!

Le Brésilien double la mise 🎯

37' | 0️⃣-2️⃣ #USJASM pic.twitter.com/WvGEnu25Eh

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) December 22, 2024

It then took a great Yann Lienard, on his debut, to prevent the opponent from reducing the score, making a sublime save in front of Capdeville (40′). This opportunity did not trouble the Rouge et Blanc, though as they obtained a penalty won by Taki’ before the break (45+3′). Unfortunately, Breel Embolo was denied by the Union Saint-Jean goalkeeper (45+5′).

Jordan Teze kills the suspense

After the break, Kassoum Ouattara came on and was quick to show himself but missed the target from six meters (47′). The same thing happened for Takumi Minamino’s shot which flirted with the post (51′). Success then eluded the Rouge et Blanc again since the Japanese international also missed a penalty won by Jordan Teze (58′). The Dutchman, who was definitely making all the right moves, added a third shortly thereafter with a shot from 25 meters to kill any suspense (65′).

𝗝𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗘𝗭𝗘 ⚡

Les Monégasques prennent le large !

65' | 0️⃣-3️⃣ #USJASM pic.twitter.com/PKfeeHwRyb

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) December 22, 2024

Ilenikhena responds to Tournier

The match was now all but over but the players of the club from the Principality were not slowing down. Having come on, George Ilenikhena distinguished himself twice but first came up against the goalkeeper (72′), before another shot smashed off the post (73′). Despite the score, the hosts did not give up and reduced the score through Tournier, who deflected in a free kick (83′). The match then became crazy and finally the Monaco striker was rewarded for his efforts by scoring our fourth goal (91′).

See you in the Round of 32!

This was the last chance of this Round of 64 of the Coupe de France, synonymous with qualification for the Round of 32 for AS Monaco, the draw for which will take place this Sunday at 7:45 p.m. Now, it’s time for the holidays before the resumption of competition scheduled on January 5 with the Trophée des Champions against Paris Saint-Germain. DAGHE MUNEGU!!! 🇲🇨

La belle image 🥰
La haie d’honneur de l’@AS_Monaco (L1) pour le petit poucet @intermarche de l’Union Saint-Jean (R1) 🫶 #CoupeDeFrance pic.twitter.com/Oh4gtCn2WS

— Coupe de France (@coupedefrance) December 22, 2024

Key moments 🎥

10′: A by by Minamino is blocked by a defender
17′: Minamino tries to chip Rabyi but is denied by the goalkeeper
20′: Found by Embolo behind the defense, Ben Seghir opens the scoring (0-1)
27′: A strong shot by Teze from 30 meters is slightly over
32′: A left-footed effort by Minamino with his left foot hits the post
35′: Embolo’s shot on the turn at the edge of the area is over
37′: On a cross from Minamino, Vanderson scores from close range (0-2)
40′: A sublime save by Lienard in front of Capdeville
45+3′: Pushed in the back, Minamino wins a penalty
45+5′: Embolo does not convert against Rabyi
47′: Well found by Vanderson, Ouattara misses the target from six meters
51′: Minamino’s shot flirts with the right post
57′: Teze is brought down by Rabyi, penalty for AS Monaco
58′: Minamino also stumbles on the Saint-Jean goalkeeper
65′: Teze adds a third with a long-range shot (0-3)
72nd: Rabyi saves from Ilenikhena’s shot
73′: Ilenikhena’s volley hits the post
83′: Tournier reduces the score with a deflection on a free kick (1-3)
91′:  A magnificent shot by Ilenikhena sees him score the fourth goal

🗓️ Match details:

Sunday December 22 (14:45) – Stadium de Toulouse

Coupe de France – Round of 64: Union Saint-Jean 1-4 AS Monaco

Halftime: 0-2

Goals: Tournier (83′) for L’Union Saint-Jean; Ben Seghir (20′), Vanderson (37′), Teze (65′), Ilenikhena (91′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: Tournier (70′) for L’Union Saint-Jean; Minamino (45+5′) for AS Monaco

Union Saint-Jean: Rabyi © – De Dinechin, Fontaine, Belkoussa (Mathon, 82′), Cachart – Viltard (Tournier, 59′), Lebon – Rafion, Payan, Capdeville (Calvayrac, 59′, Seille, 77′) – Tavares (Rigaudy, 77′)

Substitutes: Da Ponte, Calvayrac, Duhayer, Gravil, Lecachey, Seille, Tournier, Mathon, Rigaudy

Manager: Gregory Sorroche

AS Monaco: Lienard – Teze, Singo, Kehrer © (Salisu, 63′), C. Henrique – Magassa (Ouattara, 46′), Matazo – Vanderson, Minamino (Bouabré, 70′), Ben Seghir (Michal, 80′) – Embolo (Ilenikhena, 63′)

Substiutes: Köhn, Salisu, Ouattara, Benama, Camara, Akliouche, Bouabré, Ilenikhena, Michal

Manager: Christian Peintinger