Lacking the finishing touch, AS Monaco fall to Lyon
Success escaped AS Monaco this Friday. Dominant throughout almost the entire match and with 19 shots, including one off the post, our Rouge et Blanc were pegged back against the run of play, on Lyon’s only real chance. It was a defeat with a cruel ouctome which will keep them in third place at the end of this round. ✍️
The context 📅
It was the last match of the year at the Stade Louis-II. Winners of six of their last seven home matches, AS Monaco wanted to end this first half of the season at home in style by beating Olympique Lyonnais. Facing the league’s bottom side, our Rouge et Blanc, third and on two victories in a row, logically started as favorites. But we had to be wary all the same, as coach Adi Hütter reminded us at a press conference.
The eleven 👥
At the start of this match, the Monegasque coach again played his team in a 3-4-2-1 with the only changes compared to Rennes being the entries of Krépin Diatta and Maghnes Akliouche in place of Vanderson and Aleksandr Golovin. A starter last weekend for the first time this season, Mohammed Salisu played in defence alongside Denis Zakaria and Wilfried Singo, just as Folarin Balogun again led the line.
The scenario 🎞
AS Monaco were keeping the ball at the start of the match (almost 90% possession after ten minutes) but the first shot was from Lyon’s Ernest Nuamah at a free kick. It flashed above the goal of Philipp Köhn (11′). The Monegasque reaction was immediate, though with Folarin Balogun and Krépin Diatta involved but the two came up short against Anthony Lopes and Nicolas Tagliafico (13′) respectively. Shortly thereafter, the Ghanaian striker was denied a goal for an obvious offside (14′).
Chances, but no goals before the break
The match was being played at a stuttering pace and we would have to wait more than twenty minutes to get a little thrill. On a ball from Maghnes Akliouche, Balogun attempted a shot which headed towards the top corner, but the Rhone side’s goalkeeper pushed it away for a corner (37′). This was followed by a very nice run by Youssouf Fofana, the captain again, our number 29 was found unmarked at six meters but fired his header over the bar (38′).
Into the game again, the Rouge et Blanc tried to make the difference before the break through their attacking midfielder, whose low shot was also put behind for a corner by Lopes, who dove well to get down. But it was without success that the two teams headed to the locker rooms.
𝗠𝗶-𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘀 ⏸️
Pas de but entre les deux formations au terme des 45 premières minutes.
Rendez-vous après la pause 👊
0️⃣-0⃣ #ASMOL pic.twitter.com/drAeJHO1Z2
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) December 15, 2023
Shots from range from both sides
The start of the second half was a story of long shots. First it was Mohamed Camara who tried his luck from 20 meters but his beautiful, slightly curling shot hit the right post of Anthony Lopes, who had seemed beaten (53′). For Lyon, it was Alexandre Lacazette who tried his luck at 25 meters. While on target, his attempt was calmly stopped by Philipp Köhn, who made his first save this Friday (56′).
Success eludes our Rouge et Blanc
Adi Hütter’s men were gradually gaining the upper hand over the visitors. Following a very good play, Youssouf Fofana was found in the area but his shot was over hit and went wide (58′). Just like one from Folarin Balogun, who shot following a one-two with Mohamed Camara (66′). Success definitely eluded the American this evening as he was denied by the OL goalkeeper again, present at his near post, a minute later (67′).
Nos Rouge & Blanc à l'attaque depuis la reprise, allez !
55' | 0️⃣-0⃣ #ASMOL pic.twitter.com/SdAWubonk6
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) December 15, 2023
The Lyon goalkeeper was also in good spirits as he seemed beaten by a cross header from the captain of the Rouge et Blanc, receiving a corner from Krépin Diatta. Unfortunately, it just missed the target (76′). And against the run of play, they were caught out by Jeffinho, unmarked at the penalty spot, and who had just come on (84′).
Trying to end the year well
The Monegasques then try to get back level with crosses but all of them are cleared by the opposing defense or captured by Lopes. This is how this match ended, with an unfair outcome, as AS Monaco had opportunities to score (19 shots, 1.39 Expected Goals). The team will now have to win in Toulouse on Wednesday (9 p.m.) to end 2023 well and stay on the podium at mid-season.
Key moments 🎥
11′: Nuamah’s free kick goes slightly above Köhn’s goal
13: A double chance for Balogun and Diatta who are denied by Lopes and Tagliafico
14′: A goal is denied to Nuamah for offside
37′: Akliouche plays in Balogun who comes up short against Lopes
38′: Balogun’s header goes over the bar following a run forward from Fofana
41: Another save from Lopes who does well to deny Akliouche
53′: Camara hits the post from range
56′: Köhn saves on a 25-meter shot from Lacazette
58: Fofana misses the target with an overhit shot across goal
66′: A one-two between Camara and Balogun sees the latter’s shot go wide
67′: Lopes keeps out Balo’s shot at the near post
76′: Fofana’s header hits the post from Diatta’s corner
84′: Jeffinho scores after being found behind the defence (0-1)
📋 Match details:
Friday December 15 – Stade Louis-II
Ligue 1 – Matchday 16: AS Monaco 0-1 Olympique Lyonnais
Halftime: 0-0
Goals: Jeffinho (84′)
Bookings: Singo (29′) for AS Monaco; Mata (31′), Henrique (95′) for Olympique Lyonnais
AS Monaco: Köhn – Singo, Zakaria, Salisu – Diatta, Fofana ©, Camara (Diop, 70′), Jakobs (Ouattara, 88′) – Minamino, Akliouche (Ben Yedder, 77′) – Balogun
Substitutes: Majecki, Maripán, Matsima, Ouattara, Bouabré, Diop, Magassa, Ben Yedder, Efekele
Manager: Adi Hütter
Olympique Lyonnais: Lopes – O’Brien, Lovren, Caleta-Car – Mata, Caqueret, Tolisso (Maitland-Niles, 71′), Tagliafico (Henrique, 74′) – Nuamah (Jeffinho, 83′), Lacazette © (Kadewere, 83′), Cherki (Diawara, 71′)
Substitutes: Bengui, Kumbendi, Sarr, Henrique, Diawara, Jeffinho, Kadewere, Maitland-Niles, Moreira
Manager: Pierre Sage
