Monaco dominate Amiens for a semifinal place
After three consecutive trips away, against Red Star (2-0), Quevilly-Rouen (3-1) and Lens (4-2), AS Monaco had the pleasure of playing in the Stade Louis-II for the first time this season in the Coupe de France on Tuesday evening. Facing a visit from Amiens, currently playing in Ligue 2, Philippe Clement decides to play a 4-2-3-1, with several changes from to the team which had brilliantly beaten Lyon (2-0).
A first start for Maghnes Akliouche
On the bench against OL but included from the start on Tuesday, Vito Mannone, Chrislain Matsima, Ismail Jakobs, Youssouf Fofana and Maghnes Akliouche, making his first start as a professional, played a major role in helping their team qualify, as the form of the game took shape in the 5th minute.
“Tchouam” quickly finds the goal
On a corner poorly cleared by the Picardy defense, Aurélien Tchouameni opened the scoring with a volley from the penalty spot (1-0, 5′). It was a very good start for the hosts, one which was even close to turning ideal, but Yohann Thuram, a product of the Academy, pulled out a fine save on a shot by Youssouf Fofana (15′).
After this thunderous start, the pace of the game let up momentarily, which the visitors took advantage of to be dangerous, in particular through the energetic Chadrac Akolo (28′). But it was ultimately Kevin Volland, with a volley from the left saved by Thuram, who was closest to finding the back of the net before halftime.
Maghnes “caviar” Akliouche
Returning from the locker room, Kader Bamba was close to equalizing but Vito Mannone made a superb diving save to his left (49′). Maghnes Akliouche then played several fine passes, first picking out Vanderson, whose shot went just wide (51′). But the Academy product would soon record his first assist as a professional, just a few moments later picking out Kevin Volland, who tapped home (2-0, 54′) to seal qualification for his team.
A semifinal to come on March 1 or 2
AS Monaco will know their opponent in the semi-finals this Wednesday evening, following the draw made by Didier Deschamps after the match between Nice and Marseille. This semifinal will take place on March 1 or 2. In the meantime, the team’s next match will be in Ligue 1 on Sunday with a visit from Lorient (1 p.m.) in the 24th round of league play.
Match details:
Coupe de France – Quarterfinals
AS Monaco 2-0 Amiens SC
Halftime: 1-0
Goals: Tchouameni (5′), Volland (54′)
Bookings: Tchouameni (21′) ; Gene (11′), Badji (13′), Benet (45′), Pavlovic (60′)
AS Monaco: Mannone – Aguilar (Sidibé 83′), Disasi, Matsima (Maripán 46′), Jakobs – Tchouameni, Fofana (Matazo 58′) – Gelson Martins (Vanderson 46′), Jean Lucas, Akliouche (Diop 73′) – Volland
Substitutes: Nübel, C.Henrique, Maripán, Sidibé, Vanderson, Matazo, Lemarechal, Diop, Ben Yedder
Manager: Philippe Clement
Amiens SC: Thuram – Mendy, Pavlovic ©, M.Fofana – Gene, Lomotey (Gnahoré 75′), Benet (Lusamba 64′), Xantippe – Akolo (Arokodare 64′), Bamba (Lachuer 83′), Badji (Sangaré 83′)
Substitutes: Gurtner, Sy, D.Fofana, Traoré, Gnahoré, Lachuer, Lusamba, Arokodare, Sangaré
Manager: Philippe Hinschberger
