AS Monaco fall to Real Sociedad
AS Monaco missed making it five from five on Tuesday night against Real Sociedad. For this last match of the preseason, Niko Kovac opted for a flat 4-4-2, with the long-awaited return of “Yedderland” in attack. Only a few days after resuming training following their appearances at UEFA Euro 2020, the two strikers had little involvement in the match’s early going, due to Real Sociedad’s excellent start to the game.
Golovin scores again
Looking well up for the encounter, Adnan Januzaj made good on his team’s dominance in the 5th minute with a nice left-footed strike after Axel Disasi’s error. Januzaj would then come close to doubling the lead with a corner that ended coming off Alexander Nübel’s bar.
After their opponents’ fine start, the Rouge et Blanc gradually got to grips with the game and managed to get back into it thanks to Aleksandr Golovin, who finished with an opportunistic strike after Kevin Volland was denied by the goalkeeper (41st). The Russia international continued his fine form with his second goal in as many matches.
🎦⚽️
Le but de Golo, qui permet aux 🔴⚪️ d'égaliser en fin de première période face à la @RealSociedad !
C'est le deuxième but du Tsar dans cette préparation 🔥 pic.twitter.com/N8En7wPJq3
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) July 28, 2021
45 minutes for Ben Yedder and Volland
Niko Kovac then took advantage of the interval to take off some starters, including the duo of Ben Yedder and Volland who were only getting back up to speed, or Aleksandr Golovin. The opportunity for other members of the squad to prove themselves, in particular Anthony Musaba, who would come very close to scoring after a fine pass from Youssouf Fofana (56′), or Krépin Diatta, author of a superb acrobatic volley which went just wide (67th). This bad luck was in contrast to that of Real Sociedad, who took the advantage on a slightly lucky header from substitute William José (69′).
After this almost perfect preparation, including three victories, a draw and a single defeat, the Monegasques will start things in earnest Tuesday as they play the third preliminary round of the Champions League, facing the winner of the tie between Rapid Vienna and Sparta Prague (after a 2-1 victory for the Austrians in the first leg, the return leg is being played tonight in the Czech Republic).
Match details:
Friendly match
Real Sociedad 2 – 1 AS Monaco
Halftime: 1-1
Goals: Janujaz (5e), William Jose (69e) ; Golovin (41e)
Real Sociedad : Remiro (Ayesa 46′) – Zaldua (Zubeldia 63′), Elustondo (Gorosabel 63′), Le Normand (David Silva 63′), Muñoz (Barrenetxea 63′) – Guridi (William Jose 63′), Turrientes (Roberto Lopez 46′), Navarro (Pacheco 63′) – Januzaj (Pokorny 63′), Portu (Sola 63′), Lobete (Garrido 63′).
Substitutes: Marrero, Ayesa, Zubeldia, Gorosabel, David Silva, Barrenetxea, William Jose, Pacheco, Robert López, Pokorný, Sola, Garrido.
Manager: Imanol Alguacil
AS Monaco : Nübel – Sidibé (Aguilar 71′), Badiashile (Pavlovic 63′), Disasi (Matsima 71′), Caio Henrique (Jakobs 71′) – Gelson Martins (Geubbels 63′), Tchouameni (Fofana 46′), Matazo (Lemaréchal 63′), Golovin (Fabregas 46′) – Ben Yedder (Diatta 46′), Volland (Musaba 46′).
Substitutes: Majecki, Jakobs, Pavlovic, Biancone, Aguilar, Matsima, Fàbregas, Fofana, Diatta, Akliouche, Lemarechal, Geubbels, Musaba.
Manager: Niko Kovac
