A rejuvenated AS Monaco picks up a draw against Union Saint-Gilloise
It was a draw in the first match of the season. Facing Union Saint-Gilloise, the players of AS Monaco indeed came bag to draw against the Belgian side, who finished third last season, thanks to a goal from Gelson Martins, just before the last quarter of an hour (1-1). But more than the result, this match was marked by the presence of many young players from the Academy. ✍️
An aggressive press from the off
In his first match on the bench, Adi Hütter picked a rejuvenated team, and lined them up in a 4-2-3-1. Several members of the Elite Group started, including Ritchy Valme, Antonin Cartillier and Mamadou Coulibaly.The attack is more experienced with the presence of Aleksandr Golovin, Takumi Minamino and Wissam Ben Yedder.
La jeunesse #MadeInLaDiagonale à l'œuvre 🇲🇨
0⃣-1️⃣ #ASMUSG pic.twitter.com/t9E2GxGTn5
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) July 9, 2023
The Rouge et Blanc started the match strong and established a comprehensive press. They then recovered several balls in the USG half, and on one of them, were very close to opening the scoring. Well found on the right by his number 10, the Japanese midfielder’s effort was blocked off the line (14′). Then, on a corner by Maghnes Akliouche, a header by the captain of the U18s, winners of the Coup Gambardella, flashed just wide (15′).
The Rouge et Blanc are stung before the break
The Belgian response would come two minutes later, also on a corner kick, as Machida’s header went over (17′). Then, Nathan Huygevelde’s attempt from the edge of the box hit the post (20′). After a cooling break, the game dropped in intensity, the players no doubt feeling worn down by the sweltering heat at the Performance Center. But just before half-time, on a long ball, Victor Boniface found himself one-on-one against Radoslaw Majecki and opened the scoring (42′).
Une demi-heure de jeu dans cette rencontre 👀
0⃣-0⃣ #ASMUSG pic.twitter.com/blP9O3hO9A
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) July 9, 2023
Gelson Martins becomes the first goalscorer of the season
After the break, the Austrian manager completely overhauled his XI and we noted in particular a first appearance for Mayssam Benama with the first team. Like the first half, the players of the Principality club made an interesting start and a shot across goal by Gelson Martins was deflected with his fingertips for a corner by Joachim Imbrechts (48′).
Lively in this first preseason match, the right winger would be rewarded for his efforts before the last quarter of an hour. On an action started by Benama 25 meters from the Monegasque goal, he found Malamine Efekele on the left, who picked out Kevin Volland in the area. The German found the Portuguese at the back post, and put it home with his right (74′).
Gelson Martins, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐮𝐫 de la saison ⚽
1️⃣-1️⃣ #ASMUSG pic.twitter.com/8SyJzayJDr
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) July 9, 2023
A draw won with selflessness
The two sides then pushed to take the lead as they went blow for blow. Elton Kabangu’s shot first went over (85′), before Caio Henrique’s shot was saved by Arthur de Bolle (90+1′). Finally, Yann Lienard came off his line out perfectly to take the ball off the feet of Gustaf Nilsson to prevent the opponents scoring (90 + 2′).
And was on this last chance that this match ended. AS Monaco therefore drew 1-1 in this first preseason match. The team’s next match is Saturday, a trip to play Cercle Brugge away. Daghe! 🇲🇨
Match details:
Sunday, July 9 – Performance Centre
Friendly: AS Monaco 1-1 Union Saint-Gilloise
Halftime: 0-1
Goals: Gelson Martins (74′) for AS Monaco; Boniface (42′) for Union Saint-Gilloise
AS Monaco (first half): Majecki – Aguilar , Valme, Okou, Cartillier – Magassa, Coulibaly – Akliouche, Minamino, Golovin – Ben Yedder ©
AS Monaco (second half): Lienard – Babaï, Marcelin, Matsima, C. Henrique © – Gelson Martins, Benama, Lemarechal, Efekele – Volland, Boadu
Substitutes: Lienard, Zadi, Babaï, Béry, C. Henrique, Marcelin, Matsima, Benama, Bouabré, Efekele, Gelson Martins, Lemarechal, Boadu, Volland
Manager: Adi Hütter
Union Saint-Gilloise: Imbrechts (De Bolle, 64′) – Machida, Boone, Sykes – Sorinola, Vanhoutte, Huygevelde, Rasmussen, Nieuwkoop – Boniface, Eckert Ayensa
Manager: Alexander Blessin
