AS Monaco and Lens draw in a crazy match
They were very close to achieving a perfect start to this first month of league competition. Unfortunately, despite a header from Denis Zakaria, AS Monaco conceded a penalty in added time, perfectly converted by Frankowski. It’s a result which nevertheless allows the team to remain unbeaten. ✍️
The context 📅
Authors of a perfect start to the season with two wins against Saint-Etienne at home (1-0) and then in Lyon (0-2), the Rouge et Blanc wanted to make it 3 from 3 against Lens, which would be a first since 2017. The task did not look easy, however, since the Sang et Or also had six points after two matches.
The eleven 👥
To start the match, Adi Hütter decided to make a large rotation by modifying his entire defense with the entries of Jordan Teze and Christian Mawissa, who were first-time starters alongside Wilfried Singo and Kassoum Ouattara. Soungoutou Magassa was lined up alongside Denis Zakaria in midfield, while Folarin Balogun was a sole striker in a 4-2-3-1.
The scenario 🎞
Despite the stifling heat (35°C at kick-off), both teams managed to create opening chances. First on the Lens side, Florian Sotoca forced Philipp Köhn to save (4′), before Maghnes Akliouche (5′) and Takumi Minamino (8′) saw their shots go wide. The Olympic vice-champion’s one-touch attempt was then caught by Samba (17′).
Luck is on AS Monaco’s side
But it was the opponents who create the biggest opportunity in this first period through Adrien Thomasson and Wesley Saïd (31′). Fortunately, it is the post that pushes back their attempts each time. The Monaco response came before the break through Folarin Balogun, whose blocked shot went behind for a corner (42′), then by an overhit attempt from Captain Zak’ (45 + 3′). It is on this last action that the referee whistled half-time with the score nil-nil.
𝗠𝗶-𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘀 ⏸️
Sous une chaleur étouffante, Monégasques et Lensois sont dos-à-dos à la pause.
Rendez-vous dans 15 minutes 🔜👊
0️⃣-0️⃣ #ASMRCL pic.twitter.com/Lg386Ya1za
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) September 1, 2024
Köhn and Samba with big saves
The second half started at a similar pace on both sides, due to the heat still present. On a sublime three-way move between Balo’, Taki and Maghnes, the first chance was for Monaco but the latter stumbled on the return of a defender (54′). Shortly thereafter, Köhn made a big save on a vicious strike from Sotoca (58′), before the American striker had a powerful attempt, pushed back with difficulty by Samba (61′).
Philipp 🧤
54' | 0️⃣-0️⃣ #ASMRCL pic.twitter.com/24g7OrnH7c
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) September 1, 2024
In an attempt to make a difference, the Monaco coach made three changes with the arrival of Breel Embolo, George Ilenikhena and Caio Henrique for his first appearance this season (65′). Despite this, it was the Lensois who proved to be the most dangerous through Sotoca again but Philipp won his one-on-one in a masterly manner (72′).
Zakaria, the unfortunate hero
The Monaco goalkeeper, however, could do nothing about Labeau Lascary’s goal, which was fortunately disallowed by VAR for a handball by the Lens striker (79′). It was a stroke of luck in favor of the Monegasques that they validated five minutes later with a furious header from their captain on a corner taken by the Brazilian left-back (84′).
There was then less success then from VAR when it picked up a handball from Zak’ in his area which forced the referee to whistle a penalty (90+1′). It was perfectly converted by Frankowski, although Philipp had gone the right way (90+3′). The Rouge et Blanc wanted to win and their Swiss striker saw his header flirt with Samba’s post (90+6′). What a shame!
AS Monaco still undefeated this season
It was the last chance of the game and Mr. Delajod whistled the end of the match a few moments to end the draw (1-1). It was a score that allows AS Monaco to remain undefeated this season and to remain atop the table provisionally. Time for the international break now before a trip to Auxerre, on Saturday September 14 (7 p.m.). Daghe Munegu! 🇲🇨
𝗙𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝘂 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 🔚
Partage des points entre Monégasques et Lensois.
Prochain rendez-vous face à Auxerre après la trêve internationale 🔜⚔️
1⃣-1⃣ #ASMRCL pic.twitter.com/mhHFfAsdk0
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) September 1, 2024
Key moments 🎥
4′: Sotoca’s shot is easily caught by Köhn
5′: Akliouche’s powerful shot is slightly over
8′: Minamino’s shot flirts with Samba’s goal
17′: Akliouche’s one-touch shot caught by Samba
27′: Aguilar’s low cross is read well by Köhn
28′: Saïd’s shot is just over the bar
31′: Thomasson and Saïd hit the post for Lens twice
42′: Balogun’s shot is blocked behind for a corner by Gradit
45+3′: Zakaria’s low shot is overhit
54′: Superb three-way play that results in a blocked shot by Akliouche
58′: Köhn saves a slightly deflected Sotoca shot
61′: Balogun’s powerful shot is barely blocked by Samba
72′: A one-on-one is won by Köhn in front of Sotoca
79′: A goal is disallowed for Labeau Lascary for handball
84′: Goal by Zakaria with a header from a corner by Caio Henrique (1-0)
90+1′: Penalty won by Lens following a handball by Zak’
90+3′: It is converted by Frankowski (1-1)
90+6′: A header by Embolo is just past the post
📋 Match details:
Sunday September 1 – Stade Louis-II
Ligue 1 – Matchday 3: AS Monaco 1-1 RC Lens
Halftime: 0-0
Goals: Zakaria (84′) for AS Monaco; Frankowski (90+3′) for Lens
Bookings: Gradit (9′), Aguilar (34′), Sotoca (40′), Labeau Lascary (68′) for Lens
AS Monaco : Köhn – Teze (Vanderson, 46′), Singo, Mawissa (Golovin, 81′), Ouattara (C.Henrique, 65′) – Magassa, Zakaria © – Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir (Ilenikhena, 65′) – Balogun (Embolo, 65′)
Substitutes: Lienard, C.Henrique, Kehrer, Salisu, Vanderson, Diatta, Golovin, Embolo, Ilenikhena
Manager: Adi Hütter
Lens: Samba – Gradit, Khusanov, Medina – Aguilar (Frankowski, 64′), Thomasson (Ojediran, 64′), Diouf, Chavez – Zaroury (Pereira Da Costa, 40′), Sotoca, Saïd (Labeau Lascary, 46′)
Substitutes: Petric, Frankowski, Sarr, Mendy, Nzola, Ojediran, Pereira Da Costa, Labeau Lascary, Satriano
Manager: Will Still
