A very serious Monaco win comfortably in Angers

A badly-needed win! After a long wait for victory, since the win against Montpellier in the Principality, AS Monaco finally brought back three points from their trip to Angers. In order to freshen his eleven in what was the team’s 24th official match of the season, Niko Kovac decided to make five changes from the team that drew against Strasbourg (1-1). Djibril Sidibé and Ismaïl Jakobs started on the flanks, with Gelson Martins in on the left wing and Myron Boadu in attack; Aurélien Tchouameni also made his return to the starting XI.

🌈📍 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱-𝗞𝗼𝗽𝗮 pic.twitter.com/aLRhQDRtWq

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) December 1, 2021

A first goal in Ligue 1 for Myron Boadu

The first half started quietly, until Sofiane Diop had a nice interception in the SCO half, and picked out Myron Boadu ahead of him (8′), but the Dutchman fired over. On a lightning-quick counterattack, the U-21 international this time found Gelson Martins on the left, whose curling shot  failed to trouble Danijel Petkovic (12′). The Portuguese winger was also played by his right- sided counterpart, but he was narrowly flagged offside (16′).

Kevin Volland immediately got his a head onto a corner, at the near post, as usual (17′), but it was well-captured once again by the Angevin ‘keeper. It was then quite logical that the Rouge et Blanc would open the scoring through Myron Boadu. On a super deflection from our number 31, after being played in by Djibril Sidibé, the Dutch striker controlled and then scored his first goal in Ligue 1 with AS Monaco with a nice strike across goal (0-1, 25′).

Kevin “Caviar” Volland shows his skill

The German playing for the 50th time in the top flight in Angers, had thus delivered his fourth assist in the league, and his 7th in all competitions. It was a advantage in any case that was well deserved for the men of Niko Kovac, who only had to deal with two harmless attempts by Mohamed Ali Cho (28′ and 39′). Supported by nearly 300 supporters, the Monegasques were even close to doubling the lead on a shot from Sofiane Diop (40′).

Then came a magnificent bit of build-up play, which ended in a strike by Aurélien Tchouameni (43′). But it was Diop who would finally find the net. After a new bit of skill Sofiane Diop finished from close range on a cross from… Kevin Volland (0-2, 45′)! It was now five assists in Ligue 1 thanks to a millimeter-perfect pass. It was fine end to a perfect half for the Rouge et Blanc , who had mastered their opponents from back to front.

A controlled second half

After the break, Alexander Nübel and his teammates were firmly in control, even if the Riviera goalkeeper is forced to dive to make a magnificent save from Jimmy Cabot (52′). On the other hand, he was very unlucky on an attempt by Azzeddine Ounahi, which was diverted into goal (1-2, 55′). AS Monaco were quick to respond, notably with a good rake strike from Myron Boadu (63′).

The Stade Raymond Kopa crowd were thrilled then with two consecutive headers from Romain Thomas and Angelo Fulgini from a corner (66′). But after a few changes on both sides, it was finally Axel Disasi who gave the Rouge et Blanc room to breathe. Perfectly picked out at six meters by Aleksandr Golovin on a free kick, the evening’s captain scored his first goal of the season in Ligue 1 with a volley (1-3, 73′). It was also the Russian international’s third assist, just after coming on.

A breath of fresh air in a busy month

But the show was not over. On a superb counterattack initiated by Ruben Aguilar, Wissam Ben Yedder held the ball well and played in Gelson Martins, whose shot fizzed just over the bar (83′). The number 10, who took the captain’s armband, would then come up short in a one-on-one with Petkovic (84′). The score remained 3-1, despite a few final chances for what was an imperious Rouge et Blanc.

There will barely be time, however, to celebrate this first victory in a month and a half in the league, since FC Metz will be heading to Stade Louis-II on Sunday (3 p.m.), as part of the 17th round of Ligue 1 Uber Eats.

DAGHE MUNEGU! 🇲🇨

Full time at the Stade Raymond Kopa where we earn 3 points! ❤️🤍

1⃣-3⃣ I #SCOASM pic.twitter.com/BuhGOWIjOp

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) December 1, 2021

Match details

Ligue 1 – Matchday 16

Angers SCO 1-3 AS Monaco 

Halftime: 0-2

Goals: Nübel (55′, OG) for Angers; Boadu (25′), Diop (45′) and Disasi (73′) for AS Monaco 

Bookings: Mangani (42′) for Angers; Sidibé (10′), Volland (42′) for AS Monaco

Angers: Petkovic – Manceau, Traoré ©, Thomas – Cabot, Ounahi, Mangani (Mendy, 60′), Fulgini (Capelle, 81′), Ebosse (Pereira Lage, 70′) – Boufal (Ninga, 82′), Cho (Bahoken, 81′)

Remplaçants: Mandrea, Bamba, Mendy, Bobichon, Capelle, Pereira Lage, Bahoken, Ninga, Thioub

Manager: Gérald Baticle

AS Monaco: Nübel – Sidibé (Aguilar, 79′), Disasi ©, Maripán, Jakobs – Gelson Martins (Isidor, 90′), Jean Lucas, Tchouameni, Diop (Fofana, 70′) – Volland (Golovin, 70′), Boadu (Ben Yedder, 79′)

Substitutes: Majecki, Aguilar, C.Henrique, Matsima, Fofana, Golovin, Matazo, Ben Yedder, Isidor

Manager: Niko Kovac