AS Monaco come back against Montpellier for their Centenary match!

Crazy! First behind against Montpellier in their Centenary match, the Rouge et Blanc equalized through Folarin Balogun before the final note was sung by Lamine Camara, scorer in the final seconds (2-1). A match, whose kick-off was given by HSH Prince Albert II and President Dmitry Rybolovlev, was accompanied by the oldest of the Legends present, Lucien Cossou, and the youngest at La Diagonale, Winsley Bolmin.

The context 📅

AS Monaco was celebrating its Centenary on the occasion of a visit from Montpellier. For the party to be beautiful and complete, the Rouge et Blanc had to win against the a team currently in the play-off spot in the league. It was a match that was within their reach but that woukd have to be taken seriously, as has been the case since the beginning of the season, since they are still undefeated (four wins, one draw).

The eleven 👥

At the start of this match, Adi Hütter lined up his team in a 4-4-2, where we noted changes to the XI compared to the win over Le Havre in the form of Mohammed Salisu, Vanderson, Denis Zakaria Maghnes Akliouche, Eliesse Ben Seghir and Breel Embolo. The Swiss striker would be accompanied by Folarin Balogun, while Aleksandr Golovin would be in midfield with his captain.

The scenario 🎞

In a very well-filled Stade Louis-II and adorned with two magnificent tifos to celebrate the Club’s Centenary, the Monegasques started well as Embolo’s shot went over the bar (7′). The Swiss striker then came up short against Bertaud from close range, as did Denis Zakaria (13′). Then, they were caught on the counter by Rabby Nzingoula (16′).

Balogun levels the score

Then it took a block from Mohammed Salisu on his line to prevent Montpellier from doubling the lead (17′). This big scare over, the Rouge et Blanc started again as Folarin Balogun’s attempt went over (19′). Shortly thereafter, Philipp Köhn had to be vigilant on a shot from Savanier (26′).

It was an important save since six minutes later, the American equalized with his left foot at the near post (32′). Ideally played in by his attacking partner, he therefore scored his second goal this season, and second in a row after doing the same against Le Havre last week.

⚽ | L'égalisation de Balogun qui remet Monaco sur les rails ! 🚀🔥#ASMMHSC pic.twitter.com/XLoRH0WxfR

— DAZN France (@DAZN_FR) September 28, 2024

Opportunities at both ends

The second half started again with a festival of dribbling from the Monaco captain, concluded by a cross back to Vanderson, who failed to finish (47′). A response would came two minutes later from Savanier, whose shot at the near post was caught by Köhn (49′), befroe Akor Adams shot wide (55′).

The Rouge et Blanc were keeping the ball and after a superb collective action, Caio Henrique played a cutback to Maghnes Akliouche but the latter slipped and failed to hit the target (63′). There was no luck either for Balo’, who saw his powerful shot crash against Bertaud’s post (65′).

The Rouge et Blanc struggle against the opposing defense…

Adi Hütter’s men pushed for a winner and would win several corners. On one of them, Mohammed Salisu’s header was cleared off the line by Khazri (75′). It was a story of set pieces in these last 45 minutes as Savanier tried to find the right angle on a free kick (85′). The match then came alive and Lamine Camara, who had  come on shortly after at the hour mark, was denied by Bertaud (86′), before seeing his shot go over (89′).

…before Lamine saves the day in added time!

With a numerical advantage after a second yellow for Coulibaly (93′), the Rouge et Blanc wanted to break the deadlock but Ouattara also came up against Bertaud (97′). Additional time continued to tick by and there were only a handful of seconds left when Camara fired a shot from the edge of the area. It was well placed and found its way into the goal with the help of the post (98′)!

🤩 | À la dernière minute Lamine Camara offre la victoire à Monaco ! 🚀🔥#ASMMHSC pic.twitter.com/UR0OigWdQw

— DAZN France (@DAZN_FR) September 28, 2024

A Centenary celebrated in the best possible way

It was a totally crazy end to the match, AS Monaco snatched the lead in the last seconds! The referee whistled the end of the game shortly thereafter, and the club from the Principality won 2-1 in a totally stunning way, thus celebrating its Centenary in the best possible way. The team’s next match is in four days where they will travel to Zagreb to face Dinamo in the Champions League.

DAGHE MUNEGU !!!! 🇲🇨

Key moments 🎥

7′: Embolo shoots over after Balogun’s pass
13′: Bertaud saves twice from Embolo and Zakaria
16′: Nzingoula beats Köhn on the counter (0-1)
17′: Salisu clears the ball off his line after a strike from Fayad
19′: Balogun’s strike flies over the goal
26′: Köhn saves a shot from Savanier
32′: Balogun scores a left-footed goal, having been well found by Embolo (1-1)
49′: Savanier’s shot is stopped by Köhn at his near post
55′: Adams’ strike is slightly wide
63′: Akliouche slips and fails to hit the target
65′: Balogun’s strike hits the post
75′: Khazri clears the ball off his line after a header from Salisu
85′: Savanier hits the post on a free kick
86′: Bertaud tips away a shot from Camara almost at point-blank range
89′: Camara’s shot goes over Bertaud’s goal
93′: A second yellow for Coulibaly sees him sent off
97′: Bertaud gets down well to stop Ouattara’s shot
98′: Camara seals the victory with a shot that goes in off the post (2-1)

The stat 📊

Lamine Camara’s goal after 97 minutes and 45 seconds is the latest for Monaco in Ligue 1 since Opta began analysing the competition (2006/07).

📋 Match details:

Saturday, September 28 – Stade Louis-II

Ligue 1 – Matchday 6: AS Monaco 2-1 Montpellier HSC

Halftime: 1-1

Goals: Balogun (32′), Camara (98′) for AS Monaco; Nzingoula (16′) for Montpellier

Bookings: Vanderson (50′), Zakaria (50′), Salisu (82′), Camara (88′) for AS Monaco; Sagnan (4′), Coulibaly (12′), Coulibaly (93′) for Montpellier

Dismissals: Coulibaly (93′) for Montpellier

AS Monaco: Köhn – Vanderson (Teze, 78′), Singo, Salisu, C.Henrique (Ouattara, 78′) – Akliouche (Ilenikhena, 66′), Zakaria ©, Golovin, Ben Seghir (Camara, 67′) – Embolo, Balogun

Substitutes: Lienard, Kehrer, Mawissa, Ouattara, Teze, Camara, Diatta Matazo, Ilenikhena

Manager: Adi Hütter

Montpellier HSC : Bertaud – Sacko (Tchato, 46′), Omeragic ©, Sagnan, Mincarelli – Fayad, Nzingoula (Touré, 67′), Nordin (Khazri, 74′), Savanier ©, Coulibaly – Adams (Sylla, 89′)

Substitutes: Lecomte, Pembélé, Youté, Zouaoui, Grandsir, Ndiaye, Joujou, Ngoura, Sabbi, Soumaré

Manager: Michel Der Zakarian