Ligue 1: AS Monaco defeat Marseille in pulsating clash of the titans
© AS Monaco
In a tense, hard‑fought contest, AS Monaco secured a vital 2–1 triumph vs Olympique de Marseille to extend their winning streak to seven in Ligue 1 action. Now undefeated in 10 league games, the result brings them level on points with Marseille and leaves them just a single point behind LOSC Lille in third.
The match
Keen to lay down a marker and pull level with their rivals under the eyes of President Dmitry Rybolovlev watching on at the Stade Louis‑II, Sébastien Pocognoli set his side up in a 3‑4‑1‑2, with Folarin Balogun leading the line and supported by Maghnes Akliouche and Aleksandr Golovin. Paul Pogba, newly back in the squad, began the evening on the bench.
With Usain Bolt performing the ceremonial kick‑off, the match sparked into life from the 10th minute, with chances at both ends. Akliouche was first to threaten, sending a left‑footed effort over the bar (10th), before Hamed Junior Traoré was repelled by Lukáš Hrádecký (11). Moments later, Monaco’s March MVP spurned a one‑on‑one against Gerónimo Rulli (13).
The Mediterranean derby then dipped in intensity, with both sides reluctant to take risks, though another fine stop from the Red and Whites’ goalkeeper was needed to thwart Igor Paixão (34). It was little surprise, then, when the half‑time whistle arrived with the encounter still goalless.
The second stanza started in similar fashion, with the Brazilian testing Hrádecký from long range once more, but the Finnish goalkeeper was equal to it (49). Shortly after, Balogun went to ground in the area, but François Letexier waved play on (51).
The Red and Whites looked far sharper after the break and earned their reward before the hour, as Golovin met a superb cross from Jordan Teze with a precise left foot to make it 1-0 (59). It was his fifth Ligue 1 goal of the season. Marseille, suddenly under pressure, had to be alert to avoid conceding again while still surging forward, as Pierre‑Emile Höjbjerg was denied by another excellent stop from Hrádecký (66). Quinten Timber also forced a save from distance (72).
They proved to be two decisive saves, because just two minutes later Balogun burst away on the counter and deftly lifted the ball past Rulli to make it 2-0 (74). It was a masterful finish from the American, who has now scored in each of his last six outings. A third almost followed, but Denis Zakaria’s shot skimmed narrowly over in the 83rd minute.
Marseille, however, refused to fold and pulled one back through Amine Gouiri in the 85th minute to make it 2-1. The closing stages were fraught, with the Monaco goalkeeper tipping a Facundo Medina header over the bar for a corner (91), before Teze intervened brilliantly to deny Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang moments later (92), which was enough to ensure Monaco prevailed.
Pocognoli’s debrief
“This result was built throughout the match. In the first half, I think we gave Marseille the opportunity to inject some life into their game because our lines were too spread out when we had the ball, which meant we were too far from the ball carrier when we lost possession, requiring even more effort from us. This allowed OM to cause us some problems, even though we still managed to create a few chances,” explained Pocognoli.
“The first half was fairly even in the end, and in the second half we gave some instructions regarding that, especially since I had the advantage of a wide view from the top of the stands. It was good to see it from that angle. The substitutions then had the impact we were hoping for. We scored at the right time; we could even have sealed the game, but we had to stick together until the end. Overall, it was a good match. So I’m satisfied with everything surrounding this victory.”
On the horizon
Up next for ASM is a meeting with Paris FC, where only a win will do as they continue their push for Champions League qualification.