{"id":326476,"date":"2025-11-23T03:18:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-23T01:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/?p=326476"},"modified":"2025-11-23T03:26:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T01:26:20","slug":"ligue-1-despite-the-return-of-paul-pogba-as-monaco-loses-to-rennes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/en\/2025\/11\/ligue-1-despite-the-return-of-paul-pogba-as-monaco-loses-to-rennes\/","title":{"rendered":"Ligue 1: Despite the return of Paul Pogba, AS Monaco loses to Rennes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Despite a third consecutive Ligue 1 defeat (4\u20131) away to Rennes on Matchday 13, AS Monaco experienced an evening marked by the long-awaited debut of Paul Pogba in the Red and White jersey. The 2018 World Cup winner returned to competition after more than two years of absence, while Mika Biereth added another encouraging goal late in the match.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

15 days after the international break, AS Monaco, reduced to ten men following the dismissal of their captain Denis Zakaria (66\u2032), suffered a heavy setback by the same scoreline as in their previous clash vs Lens at home (4\u20131). But history will remember that it was in Brittany that their star signing, Pogba, once again stepped onto the pitch, after more than two years without playing.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u00a9 AS Monaco<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Caught out in the first half<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Against a reinvigorated Rennes side (two wins in a row in Ligue 1), coach S\u00e9bastien Pocognoli stuck with his 3-4-3 system and benefited from several important returns, including Zakaria and Luk\u00e1\u0161 Hr\u00e1deck\u00fd in goal. The manager also deployed Jordan Teze in the centre alongside Thilo Kehrer and Mohammed Salisu, while Ansu Fati and Maghnes Akliouche supported George Ilenikhena in attack, with the young striker starting in place of the suspended Folarin Balogun.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u00a9 AS Monaco<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The start of the encounter was quite lively despite the Breton chill, with both teams looking to break the deadlock quickly. While ASM were dangerous to begin with, it was Habib Baye\u2019s men who opened the scoring after 20 minutes, against the run of play. On a cross from Mahdi Camara on the right side, Abdelhamid A\u00eft-Boudlal used his chest to surprise the Finnish goalkeeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Monegasques responded on the half-hour mark through Fati. Shifted to the right side, Akliouche found the Spaniard, but his attempt flew just over the Rennes goal. Moments later, after being played in on a pass from Salisu, Fati saw his shot deflected while Ilenikhena was waiting for the ball (38\u2032).<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u00a9 AS Monaco<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Rennes were close to doubling their lead, but Hr\u00e1deck\u00fd managed to parry Camara\u2019s effort with a fingertip save (41\u2032). ASM paid for their lack of efficiency in an otherwise solid first half and went into the locker room trailing by one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zakaria sees red, Pogba applauded<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the restart, the Red and White club was once again caught cold. Mousa Al-Tamari unleashed a powerful shot that Hr\u00e1deck\u00fd parried, but Camara followed up with a header to double their advantage (48\u2032). Two minutes later, ASM nearly conceded a third, but Salisu stopped Breel Embolo\u2019s header on the goal line. The Belgian boss then injected fresh energy into the fixture with the introductions of Takumi Minamino and Biereth on the hour mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But nothing unfolded as planned for the Monegasques, who were reduced to ten after a hefty tackle by Zakaria on Est\u00e9ban Lepaul (65\u2032). The incident had serious consequences, as it was a former Monaco player in Breel Embolo who went on to give even greater scope to Rennes\u2019 victory, as he headed in from close range on a cross from Lepaul (73\u2032).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ten minutes later, Kassoum Ouattara illegally brought down Camara, and Ludovic Blas converted to further increase the score. Immediately afterward, Roazhon Park witnessed a historic moment: 811 days after his last match, Pogba entered the field, warmly applauded by the entire stadium, as the 2018 world champion took his first steps in the French championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd25 Le grand frisson… Paul \ud835\udde3\ud835\udde2\ud835\uddda\ud835\uddd5\ud835\uddd4 est de retour, avec une magnifique acclamation !#SRFCASM<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Oulc7ulqk1<\/a><\/p>— L1+ (@ligue1plus) November 22, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>