Led by an in-form Golovin, AS Monaco win against Metz!
This Sunday afternoon, our Monegasques won against Metz, under the eyes of President Dmitry Rybolovlev, their sixth victory in nine rounds, which allows our Rouge et Blanc to regain first place in Ligue 1. ✍️
The context 📅
Back from the international break, the Rouge et Blanc, third at kick-off, presented themselves full of confidence after two consecutive victories against Marseille (3-2) and Reims (1-3), and wanted to regain top spot. It was a mission which appeared to be manageable on paper since they were facing FC Metz, who currently occupied the play-off spot in the league table.
The eleven 👥
To start this ninth matchday of Ligue 1, the Monegasque coach, plagued by absences in defense, must modify his system and decides to move to four at the back. Thus, Wilfried Singo and Chrislain Matsima played centrally, while Krépin Diatta and Ismail Jakobs lined up at fullback. In attack, the duo of Ben Yedder and Balogun was again his choice.
👥 Le 𝗫𝗜 𝗱𝗲 𝗱𝗲́𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 🆚 @FCMetz
‣ #ASMFCM pic.twitter.com/TSnpRm87R8
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) October 22, 2023
The scenario 🎞
From kick-off, the AS Monaco players immediately wanted to show their superiority and dominate the ball. But on a misplaced pass in the center circle, Lamine Camara recovered the ball and tried his luck directly. His shot surprised Philipp Köhn, who was off his line, and it ended up in the top corner (4′). Behind after this twist of fate, the Rouge et Blanc moved forward and Aleksandr Golovin took his chance from 25 meters, but it was tipped behind for a corner by Alexandre Oukidja (16′).
AS Monaco lack the finishing touch…
Then it was Mohamed Camara’s turn to shoot from the edge of the area. His effort lacked power and the Metz goalkeeper stopped his attempt (21′). More attacking than usual, the Malian midfielder did not hesitate to get himself into the penalty box, and on a pass from Youssouf Fofana, would test the opposing goalkeeper. Unfortunately, Oukidja was vigilant (25′). Keeping the ball, AS Monaco camped in the opposing half and a header from our Monegasque number 19 went over the bar (40′).
…until Golo’s stroke of genius!
Despite a lack of success to that point, the Principality club could count on a flash of genius from its Russian playmaker to level the scores. From a little over 25 meters and slightly off-center, he managed to find the top corner of Oukidja’s goal, the Metz ‘keeper able to do absolutely nothing. It was his third goal of the season and AS Monaco’s 12th in the first half!
Il fait du bien celui-là ! Maintenant on enchaine 🙌
1⃣-1⃣ #ASMFCM pic.twitter.com/cXYuswUeLH
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) October 22, 2023
As soon as play resumed, the visitors showed better intentions. And almost at the kick-off, they are close to regaining the lead through Ablie Jallow but Philipp Köhn got down well to put it behind for a corner with the tip of his gloves (46′). The Swiss goalkeeper, already very sharp before the break against Reims, was again in form this Sunday, and also won a duel against Danley Jean-Jacques… with a header (49′).
Golovin strikes again!
After surviving these two scares, the Monegasques resumed their domination and Takumi Minamino won a foul 25 meters from goal. It was a distance which does not frighten Golo’, who tried his luck directly. It was a good result as his free kick hit the right post and ended up in the net (55′). This gem allowed the Rouge et Blanc to take the lead for the first time in the afternoon.
Golo' est magique 🪄
55' | 2⃣-1⃣ #ASMFCM pic.twitter.com/DqCpfgcSW8
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) October 22, 2023
Now ahead, this advance does not satisfy the partners of Youssouf Fofana, author of his 150th cap with AS Monaco, who continue to push. But they fell on an Oukidja on fire who repelled in quick succession the strikes of Takumi Minamino and Maghnes Akliouche, who entered at the break (63rd), then that of Folarin Balogun on this line, after a splendid counter-attack (68th).
Köhn decisive at the end of the match as the team return to first place
Still in attack mode after Eliesse Ben Seghir came on, for the first time this season, it was then the turn of Wissam Ben Yedder to test the Algerian goalkeeper. But here too, he intervened. Not safe with this one-goal advantage, they were even close to being surprised at the start of added time. Fortunately, Philipp Köhn was once again vigilant and stopped Kevin Van den Kerkhov’s low shot on his line (90′).
It was more worry than injury since AS Monaco managed to keep the score as it was for their sixth victory, and third in a row. This precious win also allowed the team to move back into first place after nine match days before a trip to Lille next Sunday (15:00). Bravo les gars! 🇲🇨
𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗜𝗥𝗘 👊🔚
Nos Rouge & Blanc s'imposent face au FC Metz et reprennent la première place de @Ligue1UberEats 🔝
𝗗𝗔𝗚𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗘𝗚𝗨 ❤️🤍
2⃣-1⃣ #ASMFCM pic.twitter.com/pU7MvHBLo8
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) October 22, 2023
Key moments 🎥
4′: Metz opens the scoring with a 50-meter strike by L. Camara (0-1)
16′: A powerful strike from Golo’ from 25 meters is repelled by Oukidja
21′ A low attempet by Mo’ Camara lacks power
25′: Mohamed Camara loses a one-on-one to Oukidja
40′: Fofana’s header from Golovin’s corner goes over the bar
42′: Golovin equalizes with a missile into the top corner (1-1)
46′: A diving save from Köhn keeps out a strike from Tetteh
49′: Köhn does well to keep out a header by Jean-Jacques
55′: Golovin scores from a free kick to take the lead (2-1)
63′: Two chances, from Minamino and Akliouche, are both kept out
68′: A Monegasque counter-attack ends up with Balogun but his effort is stopped by Oukidja
84′: Ben Yedder tries his luck, and draws a save from the opposing goalkeeper
90′: A strike from Van der Kerkhof is stopped by Köhn
The stat 📊
Quickly behind on the scoreboard, the Rouge et Blanc were once again able to demonstrate their mental strength to turn around a situation that had got off to a bad start. As proof, they have already picked up 11 points after going behind in Ligue 1 this season, more than any other team. Conversely, last season, AS Monaco was the team that won the fewest of this kind (5).
📋 Match details:
Sunday October 22 – Stade Louis-II
Ligue 1 – Matchday 9: AS Monaco – FC Metz
Halftime:
Goals: Golovin (42′), (55′) for AS Monaco; L. Camara (4′) for Metz
Bookings: Matsima (67′) for AS Monaco; L. Camara (53′), Tetteh (65′), Nduquidi (74′) for Metz
AS Monaco: Köhn, Diatta, Singo, Matsima, Jakobs – Minamino (Ben Seghir, 79′), Camara (Akliouche, 46′), Fofana, Golovin – Ben Yedder ⓒ (Boadu, 90+3′), Balogun (E. Diop, 89′)
Substitutes: Majecki, Babaï, Cartillier, Valme, Akliouche, Ben Seghir, Diop, Boadu, Efekele
Manager: Adi Hütter
FC Metz: Oukidja, Colin, Traoré, Candé, Udol ⓒ – N’Duquidi, Jean-Jacques – Jallow (Asoro, 61′), Camara (Atta, 70′), Sabaly (Van Den Kerkhof, 70′) – Estupinan (Tetteh, 32′)
Substitutes: Dietsch, Colin, Hérelle, Van Den Kerkhof, Atta, Asoro, Diallo, Mbaye, Tetteh
Manager: Laszlo Bölöni
