AS Monaco begins 2023 with a precious win against Brest!

It’s two from two! The AS Monaco players recorded a second win in a row this Sunday to start off 2023 at the Stade Louis-II, overcoming a well-organized Brest team, 1-0. These three latest points allow the teammates of Aleksandr Golovin, who scored the match’s only goal, to put pressure on the leading teams.

The context 🎉

On January 1 and for the first time in the 21st century, the Rouge et Blanc celebrated their return to competition at the Stade Louis-II with an unprecedented “Boxing day” against the Breton side, with free access for all supporters. Four days after a win away to Auxerre (2-3), the teammates of Eliesse Ben Seghir, scorer of a double in Burgundy, were back in action.

The lineup 🗓

And for this first match of 2023 in the Principality, Philippe Clement also decided to start the young attacking midfielder trained at the Academy in support of Breel Embolo. Elsewhere, the two Word vice-champions, Axel Disasi and Youssouf Fofana, made their comeback to the starting XI, as well as Caio Henrique, who became a father for the first time this week.

👥 Our line-up 🆚 @SB29
#ASMSB29 pic.twitter.com/bANk4dg5hK

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) January 1, 2023

The match

AS Monaco started very strongly in front of a crowded Stade Louis-II, with a first chance coming for for Breel Embolo (3′). But it was Mohamed Camara who would thrill the gathered fans, with a powerful shot which hit the left post of Marco Bizot (12′). Shortly thereafter, a curling shot from Aleksandr Golovin was just past the frame of the goal (15′). The rhythm then dropped, before Eliesse Ben Seghir and Krépin Diatta livened up the last quarter of an hour of the first half.

The number 44 first impressed from 20 meters and then came close on another superb sequence (30′, 43′). For his part, the Senegalese international was dangerous in the air, at the near post and then from a free kick (32′, 36′ and 43′). The clear domination on the part of the Rouge et Blanc was unfortunately not rewarded before the break.

A moment of genius from Golo

The second period started slowly, before the Tsar lit up the Monegasque afternoon with a sublime turn followed by a great shot into the opposite corner (1-0, 54′). Masterful! It was a fourth goal in Ligue 1 for Golo’, who finally broke the deadlock. Then it was Alexander Nübel‘s turn to be decisive, denying Jérémy Le Douaron, on a powerful header (58′) and then on a one-on-one in the box (82’).

Happy New Year! 🚀🥅#ASMSB29 pic.twitter.com/IAAUdf1HKd

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) January 1, 2023

The German goalkeeper was once again invaluable in blocking Steve Mounié’s header (85′), then in capturing Noah Fadiga’s attempt from afar (91′). A final shiver went through the Fontvieille stand on a late free kick from Franck Honorat (94′). The score remained 1-0, though and the Rouge et Blanc had all three points.

The highlights

12′: A powerful shot by from Camara 20 meters comes off the post
15′: Golovin’s curling effort close to the post
32′: A point-blank header from Diatta is kept out by Bizot
36′: A header from Diatta at the near post is blocked by Bizot
54′: Golovin finds the top corner to give AS Monaco the lead
58′: A save from Nübel keeps out a spiked header by Le Douaron
82′ Nübel stops a Le Douaron strike
85′: Nübel keeps out a header by Mounié
91′: Fadiga’s strike is gathered by Nübel

The stat

Scorer of the game’s only goal, Aleksandr Golovin has now been involved in five goals (3 goals and 2 assists), in his last five Ligue 1 matches, including three from outside the penalty area. After scoring brilliant curling goals against Angers and Toulouse, the Tsar, MVP of the month of November, found the top corner again – simply unstoppable!

54' 𝙂𝙊𝙇𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊 🤩

1️⃣-0⃣ #ASMSB29 pic.twitter.com/jYpIYY2jA0

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) January 1, 2023

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Match details:

Sunday, January 1 – Stade Louis-II

Ligue 1 – Matchday 17: AS Monaco 1-0 Stade Brestois 29

Halftime: 0-0

Goals: Golovin (54′) for AS Monaco 

Bookings: Ben Seghir (40′), Golovin (77′) and Sarr (95′) for AS Monaco; Fadiga (25′), Slimani (70′), Magnetti (76′) and Lees-Melou (77′) for Brest

AS Monaco: Nübel – Vanderson (Aguilar, 70′), Disasi ©, Maripán, C.Henrique (Sarr, 88′) – Fofana, Camara – Diatta (Gelson Martins, 70′) Ben Seghir (Boadu, 78′), Golovin (Jakobs, 78′) – Embolo

Substitutes: Didillon, Aguilar, Jakobs, Gelson Martins, Golovin, Matazo, Minamino, Ben Yedder, Boadu 

Manager: Philippe Clement

Brest: Bizot – Fadiga, Chardonnet ©, Hérelle, Uronen (Duverne, 80′) – Magnetti (Belkebla, 80′), Lees-Melou, Camara (Pereira Lage, 70′) – Del Castillo (Le Douaron, 12′), Slimani (Mounié, 70′), Honorat

Substitutes: Blazquez, Brassier, Duverne, Belkebla, Dembele, Pereira Lage, Arconte, Le Douaron, Mounié

Manager: Bruno Grougi