Despite their dominance, AS Monaco concede a draw in Troyes

What a shame! At the end of a match in which AS Monaco were largely dominant but lacked a finishing touch, the Rouge et Blanc conceded a draw in Troyes (2-2), after a goal conceded at the end of the match. They had previously managed to go ahead thanks to a quickfire double from Wissam Ben Yedder five minutes from time.

The context 📅

Eliminated from the Europa League  on penalties by Bayer Leverkusen then beaten by Nice in the Derby (0-3), AS Monaco had a complicated week. They then had only one desire: to move forward. So what better than to face Troyes, a side on relegation form and doing poorly in recent months (only one victory in their last 17 games).

The eleven 👥

For this match, part of the 26th matchday in Ligue 1, Philippe Clement made many changes compared to the starting team in Nice. It was a return to a 4-4-2 with the duo of ‘Yedderland’ in attack. Caio Henrique and Aleksandr Golovin started on the left side, while Youssouf Fofana, making his 100th appearance in Ligue 1 with AS Monaco, started next to Eliot Matazo in midfield.

Your #ESTACASM XI 📋 pic.twitter.com/usmH1W9jUu

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) March 5, 2023

The scenario 🎞

In front of more than 600 Monegasque supporters who had made the trip, the Monegasques were quick to take control of the game. Aleksandr Golovin notably stood out twice but his two shots from the right missed finding the goal of Gauthier Gallon (8′, 9′). Then, Wissam Ben Yedder was a bit short of tapping home a perfect cross from Ruben Aguilar as his header flew off to the right (17′).

Your support means everything ❤️🤍#ESTACASM pic.twitter.com/KspiCmx7V6

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) March 5, 2023

A cruel lack of finishing

Unfortunately, they were penalized on one of the hosts’ rare incursions into the Monegasque half of the pitch on a powerful strike by Romy Kouamé (32′). This opener, against the run of play did not destroy the good intentions of the Rouge et Blanc. On an indirect free kick from Caio Henrique which turned into a shot, the Brazilian was close to equalizing past the Trojan goalkeeper.

Then there was a shot at the near post by Kevin Volland that flirted with the left post (41′). Behind 1-0 at the break, they were nevertheless close to being down a second goal soon after the restart but Axel Disasi cleared off his line an attempt by Abdu Conté (47′). After this scare, AS Monaco regained possession of the ball and camped in the Troyes half. Wissam Ben Yedder notably tried a nice shot from the right which missed (61′).

Down but not out.#ESTACASM pic.twitter.com/CglLvMdCpD

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) March 5, 2023

A quickfire double by Captain’ Wiss

Not satisfied with this score, Philippe Clement decides to make changes, bringing on Breel Embolo and Ismail Jakobs (66′). And was then on a pass from the Swiss striker for Wissam Ben Yedder that our number 10 hit the bar (70′).

It was only a postponement since the Monegasque captain equalized following a cutback … from the Monegasque number 36 (81′). Reinvigorated by this goal, the Rouge et Blanc  continued to push and Captain’ Wiss scored again less than three minutes later. Present to take hold of a half-cleared cross by Aleksandr Golovin, he scored his 16th goal of the season, to move into second place in the scoring charts (84′) two goals behind Kylian Mbappé.

82' HE'S DONE IT AGAIN!!! 🔥

1⃣-2⃣ #ESTACASM pic.twitter.com/uECssMfIe5

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) March 5, 2023

Domination unrewarded

But this match wasn’t done being crazy, as Troyes managed to equalize through Iké Ugbo. Unmarked six meters from goal, the former Cercle Brugge player placed a powerful header past Alexander Nübel (90′).

Unfortunately, nothing more would come in the game; AS Monaco had conceded a 2-2 draw despite real domination. This result, however, saw the team stay in third place, level on points with Lens. The team’s next match is Sunday with a visit from Reims to the Louis-II Stadium (5:05 p.m.).Daghe Munegu!

Not to be after @WissBenYedder's heroics.#ESTACASM pic.twitter.com/Yemtr5lxNY

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) March 5, 2023

Key moments 🎥

9′: A curling shot by Aleksandr Golovin flirts with the left post
17′: A header by Wissam Ben Yedder flashes across goal
31′: Romy Kouamé opens the score with a powerful shot (1-0)
37′: Gallon saves a free kick by Caio Henrique
41′: A shot by Kevin Volland is wide of the near post
47′: A clearance by Axel Disasi off his line
61′: A nice shot by Wissam Ben Yedder comes close
69′: Eliot Matazo’s volley is  saved by Gallon
70′: Wissam Ben Yedder hits the crossbar
81′: Equalizer by Wissam Ben Yedder (1-1)
84′: Wissam Ben Yedder doubles from close range (1-2)
90′: A point-blank header by Ugbo levels the score (2-2)

The stat 📊

With a double this Sunday, Wissam Ben Yedder scored his 15th and 16th goals in Ligue 1 this season, becoming the first player in AS Monaco history to score 15 goals in four consecutive seasons with the club in the top flight. He is also now the second-top scorer in the league, behind Kylian Mbappé.

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Match details

Sunday, March 5 – Stade de l’Aube

Ligue 1 – Matchday 26: ESTAC Troyes – AS Monaco

Halftime: 1-0

Goals: Kouamé (31′), Ugbo (90+1) for Troyes; Ben Yedder (81′), (84′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: Golovin (37′) for AS Monaco

ESTAC Troyes: Gallon – Conté, Rami © (Porozo, 66′), Palmer-Brown, Salmier – Bruus, Chavalerin, Kouamé, Odobert (Baldé, 66′) – Lopes, Ripart (Ugbo, 78′)

Substitutes: Lis, Zoukrou, Porozo, Larouci, Baldé, Dongmo, Reine-Adelaide, Ugbo, Tibidi

Manager: Patrick Kisnorbo

AS Monaco: Nübel – Aguilar (Diop, 76′), Disasi, Sarr, C.Henrique – Diatta (Jakobs, 66′), Fofana, Matazo, Golovin – Ben Yedder © (Boadu, 88′), Volland (Embolo, 66′)

Substitutes:  Didillon, Jakobs, Matsima, Akliouche, Diop, Magassa, Minamino, Boadu, Embolo

Manager: Philippe Clement