Ligue 1: Adingra’s brace powers AS Monaco to victory vs Nantes ahead of huge PSG clash
© AS Monaco
Propelled by a sparkling Simon Adingra in the first at the Stade Louis-II, AS Monaco secured a crucial victory over FC Nantes before facing Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs on Tuesday evening.
Under the eyes of Prince Albert II and AS Monaco president Dmitry Rybolovlev, Sébastien Pocognoli’s men got off to a flying start, scoring three goals in six minutes (25′, 28′ and 30′). Although Nantes reduced the deficit before the interval and Aleksandr Golovin was sent off just after the hour, ASM showed resilience to secure a 3–1 win, moving closer to the European spots ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League playoff against PSG.
A revamped system and a great start
For this match, Pocognoli opted for a return to a 4-2-3-1. Denis Zakaria returned to the midfield, while Wout Faes was back from injury in central defence alongside Thilo Kehrer. On the wing, winter signing Adingra was in the starting line-up for his first appearance at the Louis-II, which saw its stands filled with the new red and white seats for the first time.
L’installation des sièges rouges et blancs est terminée sur la moitié du pesage et en secondes ! De même pour la première moitié du parcage visiteur #ASM #ASMFCN pic.twitter.com/Hus6F0PZRl
— Monaco Tribune (@MonacoTribune) February 13, 2026
Monaco quickly took control of proceedings. Following a first alert by Folarin Balogun (8′), whose shot across goal went just wide, Vanderson put in a dangerous delivery that Chidozie Awaziem almost deflected into his own net (13′). The Monegasques kept the chances coming. Adingra (18′), Balogun and Faes (19′) took turns worrying Anthony Lopes, who was imperious between the posts.
Adingra shines
The Monegasque pressure finally paid off. After an attempt by Balogun was saved by Lopes, the ball came back to Adingra, who finished from close range (1-0, 25′). Three minutes later, the Ivorian winger doubled the lead with a right-footed effort after some excellent work by Golovin.
🥶 Une erreur qui se paye 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗛 pour le FC Nantes !
— L1+ (@ligue1plus) February 13, 2026
1-0 pour l'AS Monaco grâce à Adingra ! pic.twitter.com/LYhL4kJv4U
The attacking festival did not stop there. From the kick-off, Golovin played in his captain, who curled a shot into the top corner of Lopes’ goal (30′). The Russian thus offered himself his fourth assist of the season in Ligue 1. The only shadow on the table of these first 40 minutes was the exit through injury of Maghnes Akliouche, who departed the pitch limping.
😱 𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 = 𝟯 𝗯𝘂𝘁𝘀
— L1+ (@ligue1plus) February 13, 2026
Le FC Nantes s'enfonce dans la zone rouge face à l'AS Monaco ! pic.twitter.com/vF7Oq1mb0B
A Monaco with two faces
Just before the break, the Canaries closed the gap. After a missed intervention by Kehrer, Fabien Centonze applied the finish to a cross from Deiver Machado (45’+2).
The second half then took a different turn. Nantes pushed forward through Matthis Abline, but Philipp Köhn remained attentive (47′). The match changed further when Golovin was given his marching orders for protesting (65′), which left his teammates outnumbered for the last half hour.
🔴 Golovin réagit mal envers la décision de l'arbitre et se faire exclure !
— L1+ (@ligue1plus) February 13, 2026
L'AS Monaco se met en difficulté en finissant à 10 ! pic.twitter.com/eW5BL9Mtan
Despite their numerical superiority and territorial domination, Nantes did not manage to break through the Monegasque backline, which was well organised. Faes distinguished himself with a saving tackle in front of his goalkeeper (85′), while Ansu Fati, who had come on as a substitute, was unsuccessful against Lopes (90’+4). At the very end of the game, Youssef El Arabi found the net for Nantes, but his goal was disallowed for offside.
Akliouche doubtful against PSG
Out with an injury, the Monegasque playmaker is doubtful for the match vs PSG. “It’s not his style to ask for his replacement in this way. We will do examinations to see what is going on. We hope it’s not too serious,” Pocognoli said in the post-match press conference.
On the match overall, the Belgian did not hide his satisfaction despite some regrets, stating, “The start of the match and the first three goals certainly underline one of the best starts of the season. What is disappointing is to concede this goal.” The coach also spoke about Golovin’s dismissal, reflecting: “We expect a certain control of emotions. He wasn’t very happy at the end of the game.”
Regarding Adingra, Pocognoli praised the winger’s performance. “I really pushed for us to be able to recruit him. His versatility was the number one asset. He knows how to play on the right, on the left, in support of attack or as a piston. I am very satisfied with his performance,” insisted the 38-year-old.
In the mixed zone, the double goalscorer cut an excited figure. “It’s a pleasure. It was a very important match for us in view of the next match against PSG. The players helped me to settle easily into the group. I played with Ansu Fati before, and he also helped me,” Adingra explained.
PSG on the horizon
This triumph reinforces Monaco’s quest for the European places and revives its momentum after the draw conceded against OGC Nice in the Côte d’Azur Derby. For Nantes, 17th with only 14 points on the clock, the situation is becoming critical in the race to stay in the league.
The win sets Monaco up nicely ahead of Tuesday evening’s Champions League playoff first leg against PSG, who were beaten by Stade Rennais.