In a crucial match in the race for Champions League qualification, AS Monaco, initially trailing, found the necessary resources to overthrow Olympique Lyonnais and secure a sixth consecutive victory in Ligue 1.
In a high-tension top-of-the-table clash, Monaco was able to confirm their impressive momentum. Surprised by a goal from Pavel Sulc at the end of the first half, Sébastien Pocognoli’s men turned the tide in the second half thanks to goals from Maghnes Akliouche and Folarin Balogun. In the standings, this triumph allows Monaco to come back to within one point of their opponent of the day.
A difficult first half
Pocognoli renewed his three at the back defence, with Denis Zakaria in the backline alongside Thilo Kehrer and Wout Faes, while Simon Adingra and Jordan Teze were deployed out wide. Aladji Bamba was once more in the starting line-up in midfield. Facing an OL 4-2-3-1 led by a lively Endrick, the start of the match was electric. And it was the Monegasques who had the first two chances.
Balogun, pinpointed in the box, spun around and saw his shot blocked (11′). Five minutes later, Akliouche went to challenge Dominik Greif following a quality bit of work from Bamba. The French international, called up again to the national team this week, subsequently lost his duel with the Lyon goalkeeper (16′).
The two teams went blow for blow, and, in the aftermath, the Brazilian Endrick saw his attempt saved by Lukáš Hradecký. A few seconds later, Sulc’s header came close to the target (0-0, 17′).
Against an OL outfit without a win in five league games and eliminated from the Europa League this week, the Monegasques continued to threaten. Balogun crossed hard in front of goal, but Afonso Moreira cleared in a hurry (31′). However, it was Lyon who found the breakthrough first.
Sulc, who had already scored twice in the first leg, placed a powerful strike under the bar after an excellent cross from Endrick (1-0, 42′). ASM came close to being punished a second time before the break, but Corentin Tolisso hit the post. The Monegasques returned to the locker room a goal behind.
A stunning second half
The second stanza began without Bamba, who had to be replaced by Mamadou Coulibaly due to a knee injury. While Monaco took control of the game, Lyon operated dangerously on the counter. Endrick found himself alone vs Hradecký, who was beaten on the action, but Teze appeared on his line to save the ball (57′). A vital intervention that changed the course of the match.
Five minutes later, on the first real Monegasque situation of the second half, Akliouche received a long ball from Teze, outfoxed Clinton Mata and slotted his finish into the top corner of Greif (1-1, 62′).
The playmaker then earned a penalty when he was hooked by Tolisso on the ankle. Balogun came face to face with Greif, opened up his foot and beat the Slovakian goalkeeper (1-2, 72′). This marked the fifth consecutive goal in the league for the American, the first Monegasque player to achieve this feat since Kevin Volland in the 2020/2021 season.
Kehrer saves his team in a tense finale
The end of the match was completely unbridled. Balogun missed the 1-3 with a shot in the box (80′), and Ansu Fati twice came up against an authoritative Greif. In the 89th minute, Nicolás Tagliafico was sent off after a nasty tackle from behind on Lamine Camara. Pocognoli, too, was handed a red card for protecting his players. The Belgian is expected to be suspended for the reception of OM in two weeks.
Lyon, reduced to 10 men, kept trying during eight minutes of added time. Kehrer made a miraculous stop on his line against Sulc after a perfect tackle (1-2, 90+5′). Monaco were pushed but did not give in, and the final whistle caused the 500 Monegasque supporters present in the park to explode with joy.
Akliouche: “We knew we were going to turn this match around”
At the microphone of the broadcaster at the conclusion of the fixture, Akliouche cut a delighted figure without getting carried away. “We knew the importance of this match, it’s like a final, and we were simply determined to win until the last minute,” said the Monegasque star.
“We conceded that goal, but that’s also the strength of this team now: not giving up. We did it in Lens, we did it again in Lyon.”
ASM have now won three straight away games vs Lens, PSG and now OL. But Akliouche was keen to remind everyone that there’s still a long way to go, stating: “We are continuing on this good dynamic, but it’s not over. After the break, we will have to come back and continue like this.”
With 23 points collected since the restart, the best tally in Ligue 1, the Red and Whites continued their sensational run. Now just one point behind Lyon, they are firmly in the race for a podium finish and a place in the Champions League. ASM’s upcoming clash with Olympique de Marseille promises to be another decisive encounter in shaping the outcome of their campaign.