Despite being dominant, the Elite Group go unrewarded against Brighton
The Elite Group played their penultimate game of the season against Brighton on Wednesday at the Performance Centre. Having been previously beaten 0-3 in a tournament together with other teams from the Premier League, the Rouge et Blanc wanted to take their revenge. Unfortunately, they fell, against the run of play, 1-2.
A wild start to the match
For this match, Damien Perrinelle lined his team up in a 4-3-3 and included three winners of the Coupe Gambardella: Ritchy Valme, Mayssam Benama and Lucas Michal. The latter quickly stood out by making a high recovery, close to the English side’s penalty area.
In a good central position, he sent a ball in to the far post for Valentin Decarpentrie who finished with a header (7′). But there was no time to savor is as their opponents reacted in stride through left winger Joe Knight, who beat Yanis Benchaouch at the near post.
Our dominance goes unrewarded
Despite the absence of several key players who had left for the U20 World Cup such as Yann Lienard, Jordan Semedo Varela, Soungoutou Magassa and Malamine Efekele, the Rouge et Blanc mostly were dominant and created several situations for themselves.
First was Enzo Baglieri, whose volley was over the bar (19′) and then Lucas Michal, whose shot was cleared off the line by a defender (37′), and also Salatiel who saw his powerful shot deflected behind by the goalkeeper for a corner (38′). Unfortunately, by failing to capitalize on their chances, they remained under threat from Brighton. And that’s what came to pass just before the break with a goal conceded from a corner to Boiley Smith (42′).
Bery, Bamba, Jiddou… Big opportunities
Picking up the tempo as they had at the end of the first half, the Seagulls were close to another goal from Zane Albarus, but his effort from six meters missed the target (49′). The Monegasque response took place less than ten minutes later through Jules Bery, whose direct free kick was kept out by Harry Mills (57′).
Shortly thereafter, Mohamed Bamba, repositioned as right winger, tried to beat the English goalkeeper from a tight angle. Well positioned, he saved with his feet (58′). Then it was the turn of Salam Jiddou, who had just entered the match, to be dangerous with a powerful strike from close range (72′).
A final match on Saturday to end a great season
The Rouge et Blanc push to try to get back on level terms and Lucas Michal would create a new chance. Unbeatable, the British goalkeeper was once again sharp to stop his effort (77th), just as he did Loïc Mayoute’s attempt at the start of extra time (90 + 1′).
Despite a number of chances and being far superior to their opponents, the players of the Elite Group therefore lost 1-2, ending a series of six consecutive games without defeat. We will now have to bounce back Saturday on a trip to the Groupama Training Center to face Olympique Lyonnais (1 p.m.) to end a season which will have been rich in lessons.
Match details:
Friendly – Wednesday, May 17 2023
AS Monaco 1-2 Brighton
Halftime: 1-2
Goals: Decarpentrie (7′) for AS Monaco; Knight (9′), Smith (42′) for Brighton
Bookings: Coulibaly (37′) for AS Monaco, Nilsson (60′) for Brighton
AS Monaco: Benchaouch – Bamba, Valme, Bery, Cartillier (Bakali, 67′) – Benama, Baranik, Coulibaly (Mayoute, 46′) – Decarpentrie (Jiddou, 67′), Baglieri, Michal (Bertolucci, 81e)
Substitutes: Schulz, El Maach, Kuzmanovic, Gesan, Jiddou, Mayoute, Bakali, Bertolucci
Manager: Damien Perrinelle
