Reaction: Kehrer’s red card dominates the headlines after AS Monaco’s loss vs Lorient

Thilo Kehrer’s red card proved to be the turning point in AS Monaco’s 3-1 defeat to FC Lorient, dramatically shifting the momentum of the match. After the final whistle, all eyes turned to the reactions of Adi Hütter and Jordan Teze.

Red card causes a stir

Following this disappointing result at the Stade du Moustoir, ASM manager Hütter cut a frustrated figure when speaking afterwards, with him clearly displeased about Kehrer’s 38th-minute dismissal.

“Unfortunately, we were then reduced after a second yellow for Thilo Kehrer, which, for me, should not have been one, since he did not touch the head of the Lorient player with his arm. What we did after that was not enough, especially during the second half. We wanted to keep two attackers, but we conceded two goals too easily and a lot of shots. Lorient deserves its victory; we did not know how to find the solutions to be a threat to them,” reflected the Austrian tactician.

“It’s not the expected result because we wanted to win in Lorient. I think we started the match quite well, even if it’s not easy to find the right solution against a low block. We controlled the match in their half and sometimes didn’t try enough long-range shots, crosses or balls behind the defence. It was too little, but finding solutions against a low block is the hardest thing in football.”

Defensive switch

At the pre-match press conference, the 55-year-old shared his opinion on using a back three, which is something he did for this encounter. His take on how it played out made for interesting reading.

“Looking back at the first 20 minutes, the three-man defence was never in danger. We also had to protect our midfield because we had five players missing in that position. We were unlucky again with Lamine Camara’s injury in training yesterday. I’m not someone who tries to make excuses, but it’s not easy for a team like ours to do without five midfielders,” he stated.

“We positioned Jordan Teze with two young players, Mamadou Coulibaly and then Pape Cabral. That’s why we wanted to try to change the face of the team while trying to remain competitive. The start was good, I won’t call this system a failure. I don’t want to blame my players, they did their best. What we have to criticise is the fact of conceding too many goals.”

Conceding too easily

Next on the docket was Hütter responding to his side’s defensive struggles, which has seen them concede 10 goals already in Ligue 1 action.

“I totally agree that a team like ours can’t concede so many goals. The first came from a set piece, just moments after Thilo was sent off, and the second was conceded too easily. In the end, Lorient had 19 shots; we were put in too much trouble in the second half. We need to analyse why we’re not solid enough right now,” insisted the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss.

Man City awaits

With a colossal Champions League fixture with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on the horizon, Hütter and his team will need to immediately recalibrate their focus for this tremendous challenge.

“We have to analyse this match as quickly as possible in order to be 100% focused on Manchester City. They are one of the best teams in the world – we will have to do our best and maybe we will have a chance to come away with something, but we know which opponent we will face. They will be the favourites, but we will prepare the team as best as possible,” explained the experienced gaffer.

Teze talks

Monaco’s Dutch utility, Teze, then weighed in on the defeat, with him lamenting how things played out in this one.

“It was tough, even though I think we didn’t start too badly. Then there was the referee’s decision that impacted the course of the match, as we conceded the opening goal just after. We knew before kick-off that it would be a difficult match, because Lorient wanted to win to collect points. And despite everything, we didn’t play well, even with eleven men on the pitch. We now have to analyse this performance and quickly turn our attention to the next match against Manchester City,” Teze said to the ASM website.

Intensity

Upon being quizzed on whether his team lacked intensity today, his response was honest and measured, as he commented: “I don’t think so, because everyone wants to, tries to do well and gives 100% in every match. The fans? I didn’t hear everything, but I think they weren’t happy with the way we played with ten men and in some previous matches. I understand them, but we still won a lot of matches, even if the level of play wasn’t entirely satisfactory. The most important thing is the result at the end.”

Chances not flowing

Last on the agenda was his team’s inability to create chances vs Lorient, but Teze wasn’t overly concerned, for he knows the quality Les Monegasques possess in the final third.

“It’s something we have to analyse on video, because it’s true that we didn’t have many opportunities to score. But it will come, because we have a lot of quality on the pitch, everyone knows that. We just have to find the attackers in good positions. We are not down, especially since we were leaders of Ligue 1 before this match. It’s just a match to forget, and we will have to show a reaction in the next match,” he asserted.

Pivotal week ahead

Despite ASM enjoying some rare moments of positivity, particularly in the opening 45, the numbers told the story of a game ASM will want to rapidly forget, as Lorient held the ascendancy in terms of expected goals (1.98 to 0.92), total shots (19 to 5), shots on target (8 to 2), shots inside the box (12 to 2), touches in the opposition box (32 to 12) and overall duels won (46 to 30).

Determined to rebound with a massive week ahead, which sees them face Man City on Wednesday before taking on OGC Nice in the derby on Sunday, it’s crucial Monaco get back on track and recapture some upward momentum.