In an indecisive match, Stade de Reims and AS Monaco neutralize each other

At the end of a match where both teams created plenty of chances, the Rouge et Blanc had a point from a draw on the pitch of the Stade de Reims to return to a level with Olympique de Marseille in the standings (0-0).

All that was missing was the finishing touch. Despite several good chances for the AS Monaco players, the Rouge et Blanc were unable to make the difference and take home three points from Reims (0-0). ✍️

The context 📅

Beaten in London away to Arsenal Wednesday, AS Monaco players want to bounce back immediately in Reims as part of the 15th matchday in Ligue 1, and get back into second place after a draw between Marseille and Lille earlier in the day. But, as Adi Hütter said, it would be necessary to put in a great performance because Reims had notably played a very good match at home against Lyon.

Reims are a good home team, who even though they lost their last home game against Lens, notably put in a fantastic performance against Lyon. They have 19 points and are therefore having an interesting season.

The XI  👥

At kick-off, the Monaco coach decided to change his system and switch to 3-4-3 as he had in Rennes earlier in the season. The defensive trio was thus Singo, Kehrer and Mawissa, while Teze and Ouattara would play as wingbackc. Golovin would occupy midfield with Magassa, while Ben Seghir and Minamino and Ilenikhena would accompany him alone up front. Finally, Köhn found his place in goal in the absence of Majecki, who is injured.

The scenario 🎞

In front of a packed away end with 900 supporters who had come to support AS Monaco, the start of the match was played at a slow pace and it was not until the 11th minute that Aleksandr Golovin’s first strike went over (11′). Takumi Minamino’s was then blocked by Cédric Kipré (15′), while Eliesse Ben Seghir’s attempt flew wide against Yehvann Diouf (21′).

Unlucky Monégasques

The Japanese international was then unlucky again when he saw his shots saved by Emmanuel Agbadou (28′) or diverted by the Reims goalkeeper at his near post (31′). In the meantime,  Reims had created a first chance for themselves through Marshall Munetsi, whose header went over (29′).

They then came very close to opening the score but Keito Nakamura made a huge miss, alone in front of goal (37′). The last chance came in favor of the Rouge et Blanc and for their number 7, who also came up against Diouf (45′). The score was therefore 0-0 at the break as it had been last weekend against Toulouse.

A triple change to make the difference

While Reims was successful in the first half, this was not the case shortly after the restart when striker Oumar Diakité hit the bar from the penalty spot (51st). Shortly after the hour mark, as the match was losing intensity, Adi Hütter made a triple change with the arrivals of Breel Embolo, Maghnes Akliouche and Mohammed Salisu (67′).

The Rouge et Blanc then had a huge opportunity through Takumi Minamino, who was launched into the deep, but missed the target against Diouf (77′). The Monegasques pushed to leave with the three points but Maghnes Akliouche missed a pass to the Swiss striker (90′), then Minamino’s acrobatic shot went over (92′).

Now it’s PSG’s turn

This was the last chance of the match which therefore ended with a scoreless draw. With this result, AS Monaco remains in third place, level on points with Olympique de Marseille. The next match is on Wednesday in a big game against PSG at the Stade Louis-II (9 p.m.), as the last league match in 2024, before the Round of 64 of the Coupe de France against Union Saint-Jean nex Sunday (14:30). Daghe Munegu ! 🇲🇨

Key moments 🎥

11′: Golovin’s shot from 25 meters is over
15′: Kipré dives to push back Minamino’s shot
21′: Against Diouf, Ben Seghir’s shot flies away
28′: ​​Agbadou blocks Taki’s cross shot
29′: Munetsi heads over on a cross from Diakité
31′: Diouf saves at the near post to stop Minamino’s attempt
37′: Nakamura drags a big chance wide, alone in front of the goal
45′: Ben Seghir tries his hand at the edge of the area, but it’s caught by Diouf
51′: Diakité hits the crossbar from the penalty spot
77′: Minanimo misses the target in front of the opposing goalkeeper
92′: Minamino’s acrobatic shot flies over

🗓️ Match details:

Saturday December 14 (21:00) – Stade Auguste Delaune

Ligue 1 – Matchday 15: Reims 0-0 AS Monaco

Halftime: 0-0

Bookings: Diouf (84′) for Reims; Magassa (40′), Ouattara (57′), Golovin (94′) for AS Monaco

Reims: Diouf – Buta, Kipré, Agbadou ©, Akieme – Koné, Atangana (Fofana, 68′) – Ito (Diakhon, 84′), Munetsi, Nakamura (Sangui, 84′) – Diakité (Salama, 79′)

Substitutes: Olliero, De Smet, Sangui, Moscardo, Fofana, Teuma, Diakhon, Salama, Sissoko

Manager: Luka Elsner