In total control, AS Monaco roll against AJ Auxerre
Back from a perfectly negotiated break! After two weeks without a match, the players of AS Monaco were in top form at the Stade Abbé-Deschamps, winning 3-0 thanks to Thilo Kehrer, Vanderson and Denis Zakaria. It was a result which allows them to climb provisionally into second place and to prepare ideally for the big match against Barcelona (Thursday, 21:00).
The context 📅
After a two-week break without a match due to the international break, AS Monaco returns to the championship in Auxerre. Undefeated until then, the Red and Whites want to stay that way while they are opposed to a promoted club, 13th in the standings. The objective will therefore be to take the three points, without having the minds turned towards FC Barcelona, as was keen to point out our coach in the pre-match press conference.
The eleven 👥
For this fourth round of Ligue 1, Adi Hütter line up his team in 4-2-3-1 where we noted the return from suspension of Lamine Camara in midfield, starting next to Denis Zakaria. Aleksandr Golovin and Caio Henrique also started for the first time this season, while Breel Embolo led the line.
The scenario 🎞
Encouraged by 1,000 supporters present in the away end, the Rouge et Blanc got off to the perfect start. On a corner taken by Lamine Camara, Thilo Kehrer let fly with a powerful header, which beat Donovan Léon (8′). It was a first assist for the Senegalese and the second goal for the defender in his Monaco career.
🚨| Thilo Kehrer ouvre le score dès les premières minutes ! 💥🎯
Regardez le match en direct ici : https://t.co/vJUZSWykjm 👈 pic.twitter.com/XLvMNeTmOu
— DAZN France (@DAZN_FR) September 14, 2024
A fine pass from Zak’ and a clinical finish by Vandi’
Dominant, they continue to corner their opponents and Breel Embolo fired a header over the bar in the six-yard box (23′). There was more success for Vanderson who finished with composure in the area after receiving a fine ball from Captain Zak’ (25′).
✌️| Vanderson double la mise et ouvre son compteur de but cette saison en Ligue 1 McDonald's !🔥💪 #AJAASM
Regardez le match en direct ici : https://t.co/vJUZSWykjm 👈 pic.twitter.com/UzQ8chr3Ur
— DAZN France (@DAZN_FR) September 14, 2024
The lead was doubled in this first period but it was not enough for Adi Hütter’s players who pushed forward before the break, without finding the goal. Eliesse Ben Seghir lost out against the opposing goalkeeper (39th), while Maghnes Akliouche fired a curling shot over the bar (45+2′).
A hail of Monégasque chances
The 15 minutes spent in the locker room did not dampen the ardour of the Rouge et Blanc and the bronze medalist attempted a powerful strike. It was caught by Leon at his near post (50′). It was then the turn of Aleksandr Golovin, at the end of a well-negotiated counter, to come close to a third goal but his chipped ball went just wide (61′). Then, Breel Embolo lost a one-on-one against the goalkeeper (62′).
Following this opportunity, Adi Hütter made a triple change with the entries of Takumi Minamino, George Ilenikhena and Folarin Balogun (64′). The two attackers did not take long to make their connection part of the match since the former Antwerp striker played in a deep ball for the American. Unfortunately, his shot was deflected behind for a corner by Leon (66′).
The third goal from Zak’!
Auxerre were not very dangerous, even if we had to be careful with Traoré’s half-volley, which flirted with Philipp Köhn’s crossbar (84′). Balo’s response was immediate with an attempt that was overhit (85′). The goal for 3-0 finally came four minutes later from Denis Zakaria on a new corner. On a header from Thilo Kehrer poorly cleared by the goalkeeper, the captain indeed scored from close range, finding the net for the second match in a row (89′).
𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗦 𝗭𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗔𝗔 !
Le Capi' enfonce le clou 🫡
89' | 0️⃣-3️⃣ #AJAASM pic.twitter.com/MqsmDwb21y
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) September 14, 2024
Perfect preparation for Barcelona
It was the last big chance of the game and AS Monaco thus won serenely by the score of 3-0 at the Stad eAbbé-Deschamps. After being held by Lens before the break, the Rouge et Blanc are therefore back on the front foot and in second place, having prepared in the best way for their big match against Barcelona on Thursday (21:00). DAGHE MUNEGU !!!! 🇲🇨
𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗜𝗥𝗘 ✅🔚
Tout en maîtrise, l'AS Monaco s'impose sur la pelouse d'Auxerre 👊
𝗗𝗔𝗚𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗘𝗚𝗨 ❤️🤍
0️⃣-3️⃣ #AJAASM pic.twitter.com/UBhHqPdKU3
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) September 14, 2024
Key moments 🎥
8′: Kehrer opens the scoring with a header from a corner (0-1)
23′: Embolo heads over after a pass from C. Henrique
25′: Zakaria makes a superb pass for Vandi who finishes coolly (0-2)
39′: Ben Seghir loses a one-on-one to Léon
45+2′ Akliouche fires over
50′: Ben Seghir’s powerful shot is caught by Léon at his near post
61′ Golovin narrowly misses the target on the counter
62′: Embolo loses a duel with Léon
66′: Léon taps away a shot from Balogun
73′: Traoré’s volley is well off-target
84′: Traoré’s half-volley flirts with Köhn’s bar
85′: Balogun’s shot from close range just misses
89′: Zakaria scores from close range at a corner (0-3)
The stat 📊
With a another clean sheet, their third in four games, AS Monaco have conceded only one goal after 4 Ligue 1 matches, equalling their best defensive performance in the top flight at this stage of the competition (1 in 1960/61).
📋 Match details:
Saturday September 14 – Stade Abbé-Deschamps
Ligue 1 – Matchday 4 : AJ Auxerre 0-3 AS Monaco
Halftime: 0-2
Goals: Kehrer (8′), Vanderson (25′), Zakaria (89′) for AS Monaco
Bookings: Osho (14′), Owusu (43′), Jubal (45+1′) for AJ Auxerre
AJ Auxerre: Léon – Joly (Zossou, 85′), Osho, Jubal ©, Diomandé, Akpa – Raveloson (Ayé, 71′), Owusu (Danois, 71′), Traoré – Perrin (Onaiwu, 71′), Sinayoko (Dioussé, 85′)
Substitutes: De Percin – Pellenard, Maddy, Dioussé, Danois, Bair, Ayé, Onaiwu, Zossou
Manager: Christophe Pélissier
AS Monaco: Köhn – Vanderson (Teze, 88′), Kehrer, Salisu, C.Henrique – Zakaria ©, Camara (Singo, 90+10′) – Ben Seghir (Balogun, 64′), Golovin (Minamino, 64′), Akliouche (Magassa, 83′) – Embolo (Ilenikhena, 64′)
Substitutes: Lienard, Ouattara, Magassa, Mawissa, Singo, Teze, Minamino, Balogun, Ilenikhena
Manager: Adi Hütter