Close
AS Monaco App 23 April 2024, 02:48

Denis "Banger" Zakaria is named MVP against Brest

Denis "Banger" Zakaria is named MVP against Brest
A major player in the victory of the Rouge et Blanc against the Brestois (0-2), the Swiss midfielder made his class speak with a curling effort into the top corner. Scorer of his fourth goal in Ligue 1, the Swiss midfielder was named man of the match on the AS Monaco App.

It was another high-level performance this weekend! Already decisive in the resverse fixture and in Nice, Denis Zakaria was able to distinguish himself once again against Stade Brestois. Solid in midfield, the Monegasque opened the scoring, facilitating a victory for his team to make it five wins in a row on the road (0-2).

It will be the team that shows the most desire that will win. Obviously it's a key match in our season, so we'll have to run a lot, give our all on the pitch, because that will make the difference.
Denis ZakariaIn the pre-match press conference

Involved from the off!

In a match with a European atmosphere between the second and third placed teams in the table, Zak’ immediately showed his ability in the match, honoring what he had said on Friday. “It will be the team that shows the most desire that will win,” he said at a press conference.

Pressing from the first minutes of the match, he recovered a high ball and picked out Maghnes Akliouche who was finally caught by the Brest defense (4′). However, this does not stop the very enterprising midfielder who made no less than 10 ball recoveries, the highest total of the match, tied with Kenny Lala.

A banger to put AS Monaco on the right track

Imperious in making his recovery, he then showed his talent by taking a long shots. Already at the origin of the opening goal in the first leg and in Nice, the number 6 of the Rouge et Blanc, definitely playing inspired, would open the scoring in the last five minutes of the first half. Collecting a ball at the corner of the penalty area, he decided to curl a shot into the top corner (40′).

A key cog for the Rouge et Blanc

It was a magnificent goal from a chance with very low expected goals (0.04xg) which also allows him to equal his best total of goals in the same season in the five major European leagues (4, as in 2018-2019 with Borussia Mönchengladbach), note our stats partner Opta. Replaced in the 78th minute by Mohamed Camara, he also made two interceptions, a successful tackle and 75% of successful passes in the opposing final third.

The double: MVP + and a place in the l’Équipe team of the round

These numbers were to his advantage as they allowed the Principality club to achieve a second consecutive clean sheet, and to appear in the team of the 30th round with a score of 7. There, he joined he his coach, who was credited with an 8 by the French sports daily.

His presence thus earned him a second MVP title where the midfielder collected 41% of the votes on the AS Monaco App. He finished just ahead of the other scorer on the weekend, Takumi Minamino, who received 37% and Maghnes Akliouche (9%). Bravo Denis! 👏

🏆 MVP 2023-2024 Recap

Second half:

Eliesse Ben Seghir in clutch and MVP mode in Strasbourg

AS Monaco App

11 November 2024, 16:51

Eliesse Ben Seghir in clutch and MVP mode in Strasbourg
Thilo "money time" Kehrer is your MVP and POTM after the win in Bologna

AS Monaco App

06 November 2024, 16:00

Thilo "money time" Kehrer is your MVP and POTM after the win in Bologna
Takumi Minamino scores a double to be in MVP mode against Belgrade

AS Monaco App

23 October 2024, 21:09

Takumi Minamino scores a double to be in MVP mode against Belgrade
See more articles