AS Monaco qualifies for the quarterfinals in Lens

They came to conquer! The players of AS Monaco left Pas-de-Calais with a well-earned qualification for the quarterfinals of the Coupe de France, beating Lens, 4-2. In an attempt to continue their run in the competition, Philippe Clement decides to again deploy his hybrid 4-2-3-1, with Wissam Ben Yedder leading the line.

A lively start…

In the absence of Alexander Nübel and Radoslaw Majecki, Vito Mannone started in the Monegasque goal. And the Italian had little time to rest, as Seko Fofana tried his luck from thirty meters with the first shot of the match, before our ‘keeper tipped the ball onto his crossbar (5’).

5' 🇮🇹🚫 Great save by Vito!

0-0 ➥ #RCLASM

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) January 30, 2022

He was called into action again three minutes later on an attempt by Gaël Kakuta in the area (8′). The Rouge et Blanc waited into the second quarter of an hour to provide a moment of danger, on a shot from the left foot of their captain, which was blocked (16′). But it wouldn’t take long for Wissam to find his goal, as fired home Caio Henrique’s superb cross… with a header, like as against Montpellier (0-1, 18′) for his 19th goal of the season.

…before the fireworks really started!

For his part, the Brazilian has his 10th assist in all competitions. The goal seemed to light a fire for the players of AS Monaco, who attacked each counter at 100%. It was at the end of one of them, after a great bit of skill by Gelson Martins, that Jean Lucas scored the second goal from close range (0-2, 27′). But there was more to come!

We would soon find the Brazilian midfielder involved again, this time turning provider for Sofiane Diop’s powerful strike under the bar of Jean-Louis Leca’s goal, after another counter (0-3, 29′). AS Monaco looked unstoppable! Three shots on target, three goals. The Sang et Or were reeling, having been punished three time in the space of eleven minutes. They were even close to conceding a fourth on a header by Axel Disasi at a corner (43′).

WHAT A MATCH! 🤯👏

Goal by @SofianeDiop!

0-3 ➥ #RCLASM pic.twitter.com/wzUz5bKtZG

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) January 30, 2022

Stung, RC Lens respond

Unfortunately it was Wesley Saïd who would finally find the net just before halftime, despite an exceptional double save from Vito Mannone (1-3, 45′). This narrowing of the lead would put an end to a wild first half at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

After the break, it was Lens who looked revived after returning from the locker room, with entry of Arnaud Kalimuendo, whofound the back of the net with a nice curled shot from the left (53;). There was now more and more space on both sides. Sofiane Diop failed to double the lead after a counter-attack following a high recovery (58′). Then it was the turn of the hosts  to push for an equazlier through Gradit (59′) and Kakuta (60′).

Vito Mannone keeps the Rouge et Blanc ahead

But each time, Vito Mannone, imperious as always, held firm. Meanwhile, Youssouf Fofana came on solidify the midfield, even as there was an opportunity for Jean Lucas to be threatening on a curling shot (63′). The match careened from one goal to another, and this time it is was Vito Mannone who dove perfectly on a powerful low shot from Arnaud Kalimuendo (69′).

Grazie @VitoMannone88 ⛑ pic.twitter.com/cE2G9m3SdT

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 30, 2022

Shortly after, it was Wissam Ben Yedder tried his luck against Jean-Louis Leca, having gotten in behind the defense (73′). Lens would respond again, though, as Jonathan Clauss forced a save from our Italian goalkeeper with a powerful free kick (75′). The match still simmering, the two coaches took the opportunity to make many changes. The Northern side were again dangerous on another attempt by Kalimuendo, who was showing himself to be very active (83′).

Captain Wiss gets his double to seal the result

But it was Wissam Ben Yedder, author of the opener, who killed the match from a five-star pass from Aurélien Tchouameni (2-4). The Monegasque captain finished from close range to seal qualification for the quarterfinals of the Coupe de France for the Rouge et Blanc. The adventure continues as the team are back in Ligue 1 action next Saturday against Lyon (9 p.m.).

Match details

Coupe de France – Round of 16 

RC Lens 2-4 AS Monaco 

Halftime: 1-3

Goals: Saïd (45′) and Kalimuendo (53′) for Lens; Ben Yedder (16′ and 88′), Jean Lucas (27′) and Diop (29′) for ’AS Monaco

Bookings: Golovin (72′) for AS Monaco

RC Lens: Leca – Gradit, Danso (Berg, 78′), Medina – Clauss, Doukouré, Fofana ©, Frankowski – Kakuta (Pereira Da Costa, 78′), Saïd (Jean, 78′) – Sotoca (Kalimuendo, 46′)

Substitutes: Pandor, Wooh, Haïdara, Berg, Cahuzac, Pereira Da Costa, Baldé, Jean, Kalimuendo

Manager: Franck Haise

AS Monaco: Mannone – Aguilar, Disasi, Matsima, C.Henrique – Gelson Martins (Jakobs, 81′), Jean Lucas (Vanderson, 81′), Tchouameni, Diop (Golovin, 64′) – Volland (Fofana, 55′), Ben Yedder ©

Substitutes: Liénard, Jakobs, Pavlović, Vanderson, Akliouche, Fofana, Golovin, Lemarechal, Matazo, Tiago Ribeiro

Manager: Philippe Clement

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