Dominated by an ultra-clinical Montpellier, AS Monaco fall at home
Terrible. Coldly clinical in front of the goal of a heroic Alexander Nübel throughout the match, Montpellier won their battle against an outmatched AS Monaco side (0-4). 🗓
The context 📅
After suffering a defeat in Lens last Saturday, the Rouge et Blanc wanted to respond. It would be a tough mission against a Hérault side who had lost only two of its last 10 league games and which has been one of the best teams in the league since the return of Michel Der Zakarian.
The eleven 👥
To lead a return to form, Philippe Clement decides to modify the right flank by starting Ruben Aguilar in defence and Edan Diop on the wing. Aleksandr Golovin was back in the starting lineup, while Kevin Volland and Wissam Ben Yedder would lead the line.
👥 Le 𝗫𝗜 𝗱𝗲 𝗱𝗲́𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 monégasque 🆚 @MontpellierHSC
‣ #ASMMHSC pic.twitter.com/yajeYIMcx6
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 30, 2023
The scenario 🎞
The rhythm of the match was quick from the start as Captain ‘Wiss found the Tsar with a clever ball. But his volley from the left was captured by Benjamin Lecomte (1′). We then found the Monegasque number 10 on the end of a great cross from Ruben Aguilar, but he was unfortunately signaled offside (7′) befor the same happened on Edan Diop’s attempt on a cutback from Kevin Volland (9’).
A balanced match and a decisive Nübel
Montpellier’s response came after a long shot by Youssouf Fofana (13′), where Elye Wahi used his speed to find Arnaud Nordin, who was denied by Alexander Nübel, who did well to come off his line (14′). On the following corner, the German goalkeeper was again decisive on a header by Kiki Kouyaté (14′). The first half was proving very lively, and Wissam Ben Yedder even tried his luck with a direct free kick which went just wide (22′).
22' Le coup franc de notre capitaine @WissBenYedder n'est pas passé loin 👀
0️⃣-0️⃣ #ASMMHSC pic.twitter.com/CCZ9yDj2au
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 30, 2023
But the efficiency was Montpellier’s
But the response from Les Héraultais was immediate, coming through Arnaud Nordin (23′). The Montpellier winger would have the opening goal with a curling shot after a solo run (0-1, 28′). The visitors would then be the most dangerous for a few minutes, as Nordin (36′) and then Maouassa (42′) tried their luck. Elye Wahi was even close to scoring from range, but Alexander Nübel intervened again (45′).
So close to an equaliser…
Back from the locker room, it was the same scenario. The Monegasques were close to equalizing on a superb deep ball from Eliesse Ben Seghir – who had come on, as he found his captain, but Lecomte was able to keep it out (47′). Montpellier then reacted with Wahbi Khazri who came close to scoring a goal to make it 2-0, but Alex Nübel pulled off a classy save (48′) before Elye Wahi got in behind the defence (53′).
Triple changement pour nos Monégasques :
🟢 Diatta / Jakobs
🔴 Volland / Golovin0️⃣-1️⃣ #ASMMHSC pic.twitter.com/Us9XMwfvtD
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 30, 2023
Montpellier make the break in 6 minutes
Unfortunately he could do nothing about a counter-attack led by Wahi, on which Maouassa powerfully finished to double the lead (0-2, 65′). Terrible. Especially as Arnaud Nordin added to the score almost in stride, with shot just inside the post (0-3, 72′). It was then the substitute Stephy Mavididi who finished from close range on pass from Nordin (0-4, 79′).
The match ended on that score as AS Monaco lost heavily at the Stade Louis-II (0-4). It will be necessary to provide a strong response against Angers next Sunday (1 p.m.) to hold on to fourth place in the table.
Prochaine rencontre dimanche prochain face à Angers.
0️⃣-4️⃣ #ASMMHSC pic.twitter.com/NqUUnb251H
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 30, 2023
Key moments 🎥
1′: A clipped ball by Ben Yedder for Golovin whose shot from the left is captured by Lecomte
9′: A shot by Diop on a throw-in from Volland is kept out by Lecomte
14′: Nordin is found in depth by Wahi but Nübel does well to come off his line
14′: Header by Kouyaté on a corner is tipped behind by Nübel for another corner
22′: A direct free kick taken by Ben Yedder grazes the post
28′: A slaloming run by Nordin ends with a curling shot from the left (0-1)
45′: Wahi gets in behind but Nübel wins his duel with the MHSC striker
47′: Ben Yedder is put through behind the defence by Ben Seghir but Lecomte pushes his shot away
48′: Magnificent save by Nübel on a powerful strike from Khazri
65′: Wahi goes deep and slips the ball to Maouassa who doubles the lead (0-2)
72′: Nordin is played in from the right and finishes just inside the post (0-3)
79′: Mavididi is found on the left of the area and scores again (0-4)
Match details
Sunday, April 30 – Stade Louis-II
Ligue 1 – Matchday 33: AS Monaco 0-4 Montpellier HSC
Halftime: 0-1
Goals: Nordin (28′ and 72′), Maouassa (65′), and Mavididi (79′) for Montpellier
Bookings: Ben Yedder (37′) and Maripán (45+1′) for AS Monaco; Kouyaté (58′) for Montpellier
AS Monaco: Nübel – Aguilar, Disasi, Maripán (Matsima, 51′), C.Henrique (Matazo, 83′) – Diop (Diatta, 46′), Fofana, Camara, Golovin (Jakobs, 46′) – Volland (Ben Seghir, 46′), Ben Yedder ©
Substitutes: Didillon, Jakobs, Matsima, Ben Seghir, Diatta, Gelson Martins, Matazo, Minamino, Boadu
Manager: Philippe Clement
Montpellier: Lecomte – Sacko, Jullien, Kouyaté, Sylla – Leroy (Chotard, 70′), Ferri © (Guéguin, 83′) – Nordin, Khazri (Fayad, 70′), Maouassa (Mavididi, 70′) – Wahi (Germain, 83′)
Substitutes: Kamara, Sakho, Tamas, Tchato, Chotard, Fayad, Germain, Guéguin, Mavididi
Manager: Michel Der Zakarian
