Stunned by Nice, the Rouge et Blanc fall in the Derby
An infuriating setback. Pegged back at the start of the game, the Rouge et Blanc were forced to concede a bitter defeat in the second derby of the season against OGC Nice at the Stade Louis-II. AS Monaco thus sees its momentum in the league come to an end, but still retains its place in the top three.
The context 📅
Unbeaten in Ligue 1 since the World Cup (6 wins, 2 draws), the Rouge et Blanc wanted to get back to winning ways after being eliminated from the Europa League by Bayer Leverkusen. So what better than a derby to lift the team’s spirits? The challenge was in any case daunting, against an OGC Nice team which has only lost once in 2023 (against Rennes).
The eleven 👥
For this massive match, a part of the 25th round of the seaosn, coach Philippe Clement made several changes compared to Thursday’s match. AS Monaco started in a 3-4-1-2, with Ismail Jakobs and Krépin Diatta on the wings, while Eliesse Ben Seghir played behind an attacking partnership of Breel Embolo and Myron Boadu.
Our #ASMOGCN line-up 📋
🤝 @eToroFr pic.twitter.com/x2VTgNjaUE
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) February 26, 2023
The scenario 🎞
The tone of the match was set from the start, and it was very lively. Unfortunately it was Les Aiglons who opened the scoring through Terem Moffi, on a long ball by Dante (0-1, 8′). The Rouge et Blanc tried to react through Mohamed Camara, but his curling shot couldn’t find the goal (13′). It was a tough blow nevertheless on the half hour, as Kephren Thuram played a long ball for the former Lorient striker, who doubled the lead (0-2, 26′).
Impressive finishing
The response was immediate, but Ismail Jakobs saw his effort blocked (33′). Then Eliesse Ben Seghir was off target (39′). With formidable efficiency in attack, Les Aiglons added to the lead on an assist by Terem Moffi, again, for Kephren Thuram (0-3, 43′). Halftime came in challenging circumstances, and Philippe Clement decided to make four changes.
SUBS:
🟢 @WissBenYedder, Golovin
🔴 Embolo, @myron_boadu0⃣-3⃣ #ASMOGCN pic.twitter.com/thYZG7kH4o
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) February 26, 2023
Substitutions and another side to the team
Caio Henrique, Edan Diop, Aleksandr Golovin and Wissam Ben Yedder thus came on. The match took a completely different turn, and the Tsar made himself known with a volleyed effort (49′). Difficult to deal with in transition, the Nice stood out again on a volley from Kephren Thuram, cleared behind for a corner by Alex Nübel (58′). Then came a chance for Terem Moffi which only found the gloves of the Monegasque goalkeeper (67′).
Caio Henrique’s teammates reacted despite everything, and the Brazilian was very close to seeing his striker at the far post find the goal of Kasper Schmeichel (80′). But like Wissam Ben Yedder (86′) and Youssouf Fofana (87′), he lacked success. Efforts by Ross Barkley, saved by Alexander Nübel, and Sofiane Diop, off-target, would not change the outcome. AS Monaco had suffered a heavy loss but remained on the Ligue 1 podium.
Full-time.#ASMOGCN pic.twitter.com/lObSjHZfFS
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) February 26, 2023
Key moments 🎥
8′: Moffi opens the scoring on a cross from Dante (0-1)
13′: A curling shot by Camara is narrowly wide
26′: A through ball by Thuram finds Moffi who finishes from close range (0-2)
43′: Moffi links up with Thuram who adds a third(0-3)
49′: Golovin’s effort at the far post is captured by Schmeichel
58′: Thuram gets forward on the counter and sees his volley diverted by Nübel
67′: Moffi’s quick run on ends with volley saved by Nübel
80′: Caio Henrique’s strike misses the target
87′: A long shot by Fofana is captured by Schmeichel
92′: A parry by Nübel on a shot from Barkley before a shot by Diop is off target
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Match details
Sunday, February 26 – Stade Louis-II
Ligue 1 – Matchday 25: AS Monaco 0-3 OGC Nice
Halftime 0-3
Goals: Moffi (8′, 26′), Thuram (43′) for Nice
Bookings: Ramsey (28′) for Nice
AS Monaco: Nübel – Matsima (E.Diop, 46′), Disasi ©, Sarr – Diatta, Fofana, Camara, Jakobs (C.Henrique, 46′) – Ben Seghir (Gelson Martins, 81′) – Boadu (Golovin, 46′), Embolo (Ben Yedder, 46′)
Substitutes: Didillon, C.Henrique, Okou, Diop, Gelson Martins, Golovin, Matazo, Minamino, Ben Yedder
Manager: Philippe Clement
OGC Nice: Schmeichel – Lotomba, Ndayishimiye, Todibo, Dante ©, Amraoui – Ramsey (Pablo Rosario, 35′), Boudaoui (Barkley, 81′), Thuram (S.Diop, 71′) – Laborde (Bouanani, 81′), Moffi (Brahimi, 81′)
Substitutes: Boulhendi, Mendy, Pablo Rosario, Barkley, Beka Beka, Bouanani, Belhayane, Diop, Brahimi
Manager: Didier Digard
