AS Monaco battle Bordeaux to a courageous draw

It was not the expected result, but at the end of a match which saw the players of AS Monaco play a man down for an hour, we were able to battle to a draw in Bordeaux (1-1). To face a Gironde side in need of points, and playing in front of more than 400 Monegasque supporters, Philippe Clement decided to opt for consistency in his eleven. The Flemish manager namd the same starting lineup as he had against Lorient in last week’s match in the Principality, with Vanderson and Djibril Sidibé interlocking on the right wing.

Duels and aggression but a lack of success

The game startsed with both sides showing plenty of commitment, with the first chance coming for the Rouge et Blanc, on a free kick obtained by Jean Lucas (5′). The hosts repsonded, however, but failed to find the opening goal as Rémi Oudin looked for Hwang with a header at the far post (11′) before Timothée Pembélé tried a volley at the far post (13′).

But the biggest opportunity of this start to the match came for Vanderson, who did well to bring the ball down with his chest and then shoot from the left, his effort turned behind for a corner by Gaëtan Poussin (15′). Unfortunately for the Brazilian winger’s teammates, it was Rémi Oudin who woudl score first following some good work from Yacine Adli (1-0, 22′). AS Monaco immediately tried to react, with a fine strike from Wissam Ben Yedder, following a throw-in by Axel Disasi (26th), but his effort flashed over the bar.

26' ⏱

Good chance for Wissam but his shot doesn't catch the frame.😱

𝟭 – 𝟬 ➥ #FCGBASM pic.twitter.com/2HtTsbo3oI

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) February 20, 2022

An unfortunate turning point

Aurélien Tchouameni then tried from range, again without success (33′). But the match took a completely different turn when the Monegasque number 8 received a second booking in the space of six minutes, for clattering Onana’s ankle, after a tackle which was had seemed legal. It was a very harsh decision, but despite this setback, the Rouge et Blanc were not giving up. Sofiane Diop had a chance with a free kick (42′). Then, Philippe Clement decided to make a double change, bringing on Youssouf Fofana and Gelson Martins.

Coming back from the locker room with the intention of pulling level on the scoreboard. Wissam Ben Yedder found Gelson Martins, whose cross came a little too close to Gaëtan Poussin (50′). Then, Jean Lucas saw his free kick deflected away (56′) before delivering a fine cross for his captain, whose effort from the left flashed past the right post of Poussin (57′).

Hope is renewed thanks to Gelson Martins

But the self-sacrifice of the Rouge et Blanc finally paid off with a curling shot from Gelson Martins, diverted into his own goal by Marcelo (1-1, 67′). The pressure for a winner was strong from Aleksandr Golovin and his teammates, who had come on. Indeed, the Russian attacking midfielder found himseld in a shooting position in the area, but it was blocked (75′). Then, ten minutes from time, Alexander Nübel kept the match level in a very authoritative way, winning a one-on-one with Hwang (82′).

80' ⏱

Brilliant save by Nübel ⛔️

𝟭 – 𝟭 ➥ #FCGBASM

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) February 20, 2022

In the last moments of the match, Maghnes Akliouche came on, but he failed to find the net with virtually his first touch (86′). It only a brief disappointment for the Academy-trained winger, who had signed his first pro contract last week. The game’s last opportunity came on a cross from Caio Henrique, on two minutes of added time, but it was not enough for a win. AS Monaco would leave the Matmut Atlantique with a courageous draw having played with, ten against eleven for two-thirds of the match. Their next match comes on Sunday against Reims in the Principality (1 p.m.).

Match details

Ligue 1 Uber Eats – Matchday 25

Girondins de Bordeaux 1-1 AS Monaco 

Halftime: 1-0

Bookings: Oudin (41′), Guilavogui (46′) and Pembélé (56′) for Bordeaux; Tchouameni (28′ and 34′), Sidibé (34′) and Vanderson (78e) for AS Monaco

Dismissals: Tchouameni (34′)

Goals: Oudin (22′) for Bordeaux ; Marcelo (OG, 67′) for AS Monaco

Bordeaux: Poussin – Gregersen, Marcelo, Ahmedhodzic – Pembélé (Lacoux, 77′), Onana, Guilavogui ©, Mensah – Adli (Ignatenko, 65′), Hwang, Oudin (Mara, 77′)

Substitutes: Rouyard, Mangas, Medioub, Ignatenko, Lacoux, Dilrosun, Mara, Niang, Klidje

Manager: David Guion

AS Monaco: Nübel – Sidibé (Golovin, 61′), Disasi, Maripán, C.Henrique – Jean Lucas, Tchouameni – Vanderson, Volland (Fofana, 43′), Diop (Gelson Martins, 43′) – Ben Yedder © (Akliouche, 84′)

Substitutes: Mannone, Matsima, Aguilar, Jakobs, Matazo, Fofana, Akliouche, Golovin, Gelson Martins

Manager: Philippe Clement