Unlucky, AS Monaco concedes a draw against Lorient

They wanted to rediscover the taste of success at home. Unfortunately, as in the reverse fixture, the Rouge et Blanc conceded a draw against Lorient at the end of added time on a goal from a former Monegasque, Tiémoué Bakayoko (2-2). Before that, an own goal and a header from Youssouf Fofana had allowed them to take the lead.

The context 📅

On a run of three matches without defeat (two wins, one draw), the Rouge et Blanc have regained confidence. They want to continue and win against Lorient in order to pick up a victory which has eluded them at home since the beginning of December. Even if Les Merlus came into the match in 15th, we would have to approach this match seriously because they have collected 64% of their points against the teams currently ranked in the top half of the table.

The eleven 👥

For this match on the 26th day of Ligue 1, Adi Hütter decides to modify his system and switch to a 4-2-3-1. Thus, Maghnes Akliouche, decisive in Strasbourg, replaced Folarin Balogun. For the rest of the team, there were no changes. The central defensive partnership of Maripan and Kehrer, performing well with two consecutive clean sheets, featured again, as did Kassoum Ouattara on the left flank.

The scenario 🎞

Much like the reverse fixture, AS Monaco were caught cold and conceded the opener on just 33 seconds on an own goal from Wilfried Singo, unlucky after Mohamed Bamba’s shot came off the post and in off him (1′) . After this twist of fate, the Rouge et Blanc moved forward again before both Aleskandr Golovin (8′) and Takumi Minamino (10′) were denied by Yvon Mvogo in turn.

Le poteau pour Taki 💥

16' | 0️⃣-1⃣ #ASMFCL pic.twitter.com/06zLAwQrx7

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) March 17, 2024

A story of own goals

It was then the post that kept out an attempt by the Japanese winger, from a tight angle,  preventing the Principality club from equalizing (15′). Maghnes Akliouche’s volley was stopped by the Lorient goalkeeper (21′). The opponents’ response came immediately from Darlin Yongwa, whose attempt just missed finding the corner (26′). But it was ultimately on another own goal that the Monegasque equalizer came from Formose Mendy who beat his own goalkeeper after a mixup (27′).

Unrewarded domination

The score was thus level again and AS Monaco continued to be positioned well in the opposing half. However, Radoslaw Majecki had to be attentive just before the break to repel attempts from Ayman Kari (45′) and Laurent Abergel (45+1′).

Adi Hütter’s men hit the ground running again and created several chances. First by Minamino, whose shot is crossed (46th), then by Akliouche who stumbles on Mvogo in a tight angle (47th), and finally by Ben Yedder, who sees his recovery pushed back to a corner following a good sequence technical (48th).

Youssouf in header mode

They were finally rewarded for their efforts on the hour mark thanks to Youssouf Fofana. The French international, called up for again this week, had a header from six meters, on a fine pass from Golo’ (60′). It was his second goal of the season in the league which allowed the Rouge et Blanc to take the lead.

The teammates of Ismail Jakobs, who had come on at the break, continued to accelerate and following a three-way game between Fofana, Ben Yedder and Akliouche, the latter fired a volley from the penalty spot. It was miraculously repelled by Mvogo for a corner (65′). Rarely dangerous, Les Merlus were however on a shot from Bamba, captured  by Radek (74′).

A familiar scenario

Reduced to ten men after a second yellow for Zakaria (81′), the Rouge et Blanc had to rely on Majecki to keep them ahead on a corner kick, denying a header from Mendy (84′). The game had become chippy and it was then Tosin’s turn to be sent to the locker room for a foul on Singo (90′). The hardest part then seemed to be done but on a last chance, the former Monegasque Tiémoué Bakayoko, fired an unstoppable header into the top corner (90+5′).

𝗙𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝘂 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 🔚

Partage des points entre l'AS Monaco et le FC Lorient.

Rendez-vous sur la pelouse de Metz après la trêve internationale 🔜👊

2⃣-2⃣ #ASMFCL pic.twitter.com/6SuhULbAmr

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) March 17, 2024

Next up: Metz after the break

The outcome is very cruel and reminiscent of the first leg where they also conceded the equalizer in added time. The Rouge et Blanc therefore remain in third place, one point behind Brest. After the international break where many players will return to their national teams, AS Monaco will travel to Metz for the 27th round of Ligue 1, on Saturday March 30 (5:05 p.m.).

Key moments 🎥

2′: Singo scores an own goal (0-1)
8′: Mvogo keeps out Golovin on a one-on-one
10′: A deflected strike from Minamino is captured by Mvogo
15′: Minamino hits the post from a tight angle
21′: Akliouche’s volley is stopped by the goalkeeper
26′: Yongwa’s strike hits the side netting
27′: AS Monaco equalizes on an own goal by Mendy (1-1)
45′: A big save by Majecki on a shot across goal by Kari
46′: Minamino overhits his shot across goal
47′: From a very tight angle, Akliouche is denied by Mvogo
48′: A good run and shot by Ben Yedder sees his shot diverted by the goalkeeper
60′: Goal by Fofana on a header following a fine pass by Golovin (2-1)
65′: A point-blank save from Mvogo on a volley from Akliouche
74′: Majecki makes a diving save to keep out Bamba’s strike
81′: A second yellow for Zakaria sees him sent off
84′: Majecki taps the ball behind for a corner to deny a header by Mendy
90′: A straight red for Tosin after a bad foul on Singo
90+5′: Bakayoko levels the match in added time (2-2)

📋 Match details:

Sunday, March 10 – Stade Louis-II

Ligue 1 – Matchday 26: AS Monaco 2-2 FC Lorient

Halftime: 1-1

Goals: Mendy (OG) (27′), Fofana (60′) for AS Monaco; Singo (OG) (1′), Bakayoko (90+5′) for Lorient

Bookings: Minamino (54′), Zakaria (62′), (81′) for AS Monaco

Red cards: Zakaria (81′) for AS Monaco; Tosin (90′) for Lorient

AS Monaco: Majecki – Singo, Maripán, Kehrer, Ouattara (Jakobs, 46′) – Fofana, Zakaria – Minamino (Ben Seghir, 76′), Akliouche (Magassa, 83′), Golovin (Balogun, 88′) – Ben Yedder © (Diatta, 83′)

Substitutes: Köhn, Jakobs, Vanderson, Ben Seghir, Coulibaly, Diatta, Diop, Magassa, Balogun

Manager: Adi Hütter

FC Lorient: Mvogo – Yongwa, Mendy, Laporte, Adjei, Le Bris (Katseris, 82′) – Abergel © (Louza, 76′), Bakayoko – Kari (Bouanani, 68′), Bamba (Kroupi, 76′), Ponceau (Tosin, 68′)

Substitutes: Gomis, Mouyokolo, Katseris, Bouanani, Louza, Makengo, Dieng, Kroupi, Tosin

Manager: Régis Le Bris