Monaco cruise toward the Top 5
The Top 5 is in sight for AS Monaco! Now on a run of six matches without defeat in all competitions, the Club was back in Ligue 1 action Sunday afternoon with another victory against FC Metz (4-0), as part of the 17th round of Ligue 1. This fine win sees the team move to just outisde the top 5, fifth place currently occupied by Lens, who are only one point ahead in the standings.
For the reception of the Lorraine side, Niko Kovac decided to start exactly the same eleven as the one who brilliantly won in Angers on Wednesday (3-1), in 4-4-2, with Myron Boadu, scorer of his first goal in Ligue 1 at the Stade Raymond Kopa, leading the attack, and Gelson Martins on the left midfielder and Sofiane Diop on the right.
A spark from Diop, and Volland has his say
It proved a winning choice, since the Monegasques were in the lead from the second minute of play. After a poor clearance from Alexandre Oukidja, Sofiane Diop was found in the penalty area by Gelson Martins and opened the scoring with an unstoppable shot ( 1-0, 2′). It was the fifth goal of the season in Ligue 1 for the French U-21 international, which delighted an energetic Louis-II, in particular by the young supporters of French and Italian amateur clubs invited by the Club.
After this brilliant start, the pace of the game slowed a bit and Metz were dangerous on a header from close range, which was not on target, from Dylan Bronn (24′). Gelson Martins (27′) and then Myron Boadu (38′) also had their own headers but did not manage to score a second goal. It was just a matter of time, however, as Kevin Volland earned a penalty by causing a handball on Kiki Kouyaté, which he converted himself (2-0, 44′). The German was decisive for the 10th time this season in Ligue 1, with 4 goals and 6 assists!
Gelson Martins ends the suspense…
After a perfectly managed first half, Niko Kovac’s men set off at the same pace and made it three goals shortly after returning from the locker room. At the end of a great bit of collective play, Gelson Martins was found in the penalty area and finished without hesitation against Alexandre Oukidja, despite the ‘keeper having had a touch (3-0, 57’).
…and “Captain Wissam” finds the net!
But the party wouldn’t be complete without a goal from “Captain Wisssam”. Coming on the hour mark, Wissam Ben Yedder added to the Rouge et Blanc festival with a fine finish in the area after a good pass from Aleksandr Golovin (4-0, 87′), who had come on at the same time as him. It was the last goal of a perfect afternoon for the Monegasques, who will now try to stretch their unbeaten streak even longer.
In addition to a trip to Graz this Thursday in the Europa League, which has little at stake with Monaco already qualified for the Round of 16, and then the Round of 64 of the Coupe de France away to Red Star (Sunday the 19th), the Rouge et Blanc will end what has been a superb 2021 with two big matches in Ligue 1. The first will be at the Parc des Princes, next Sunday the 12th, and the second against Rennes, at the Stade Louis-II, on Wednesday the 22nd, two European-level opponents.
Match details
Ligue 1 Uber Eats – Matchday 17
AS Monaco 4-0 FC Metz
Halftime: 2-0
Goals: Diop (2′), Volland (44′ pen), Gelson Martins (57′), Ben Yedder (87′)
Bookings: Volland (49′); Bronn (78′), Traoré (89′)
AS Monaco : Nübel – Sidibé, Disasi ©, Maripán, Jakobs (C. Henrique 66′) – Diop (Golovin 59′), Jean Lucas (Fofana 46′), Tchouameni, Gelson Martins – Volland (Matazo 73′), Boadu (Ben Yedder 59′)
Substitutes: Majecki, Aguilar, C.Henrique, Matsima, Fofana, Matazo, Golovin, Ben Yedder, Isidor
FC Metz : Oukidja – Centonze, Bronn ©, Jemerson, Kouyaté, Delaine – Boulaya (Yade 71′), Pajot, Traoré – Nguette (Gueye 71′), Niane (Sarr 46′)
Substitutes: Caillard, Niakaté, Alakouch, Mbembe, Tchimbembe, Sarr, Bassi, Gueye, Yade
