AS Monaco, battered by the deluge, saves a point in Zagreb

Down by two goals against a Dinamo team under torrential rain, the Rouge et Blanc were able to lead the revolt to finally draw at the Stadion Maksimir (2-2), to remain undefeated in this Champions League.

They saved the day. Despite being behind very early in the game by a Dinamo Zagreb who were attacking on the counter, then trailing by two goals in the second half, the AS Monaco players continued to believe and finally drew level at the very end of the match (2-2). It was a draw that allowed the Principality club to stay in the game and in the top half of the table.  ✍️

The context 📅

The Rouge et Blanc approached this second matchday of the Champions League with confidence, after a prestigious victory against FC Barcelona (2-1). A second match was a nominally smaller affair, against Dinamo, seven-time reigning Croatian champion, and led by a new coach after a record defeat conceded against Bayern Munich (9-2).

Nenad Bjelica has only just arrived as coach but from what I have seen he has already changed the mentality and reworked his team, especially in defence. They have a clinical striker in front of goal in Martin Baturina, one of the great talents in Croatian football. Sandro Kulenovic can also be very dangerous. Central midfielder Josip Misic plays an important role in the build-up.

The eleven 👥

To play this first match against a Croatian club, Adi Hütter opted for his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. The Akliouche – Minamino – Golovin trio was thus responsible for feeding Breel Embolo, while the Kehrer-Salisu central defense was again preferred. Played on the left against Barça, Vanderson was back on the right.

The scenario 🎞

The kick-off was given in torrential rain at the Stadion Maksimir, which did not prevent the hundred or so Monaco supporters present from making their voices heard. They were nevertheless to tremble at the sight of a free kick from Martin Baturina that was deflected by Philipp Köhn (4′). There was also Bruno Petkovic’s acrobatic return shot that was off target (10′). But was then Takumi Minamino who nearly opened the scoring in his one-on-one with the Croatian goalkeeper (13′).

Dinamo’s cold realism

After the first quarter of an hour, the quality of play suffered more and more from the state of the pitch, which was soaked with water. With passing being made very difficult, few opportunities arose for both teams, but the cards rained down (5). That was until Petkovic’s got in behind the defense, before finally being flagged offside (45′). Unfortunately, it was Zagreb who found the opening on the counter, on a chip from Petar Susic (1-0, 45+3′).

Fresh blood, but punishment on the counter

It was a hard blow for Adi Hütter’s men, who took advantage of half-time to bring on the Balogun – Ilenikhena duo. But the playing conditions deteriorated even further, and it was the Croatians who created the first opportunities through Petkovic (49′, 52′).

A response would come from the American international, but it was too timid (55′), unlike a sharp effort from Baturina, turned on his left foot and found the opposite corner (2-0, 66′).

A comeback that starts with Salisu…

It was a cold shower in Croatia, even if the Rouge et Blanc returned to the fight, and managed to reduce the gap on a corner with a furious header from Mohammed Salisu (2-1, 74′)! AS Monaco started to believe again, despite another shot by Kacavenda (85′). And they were right to, since after a header from Taki’ was cleared off the line, Folarin Balogun obtained a penalty that Denis Zakaria slammed into the top corner (2-2, 90′)!

…and sees a draw snatched by Captain’ Zak!

It was an oh-so-important equalizer at the end of an incredible match, which allows the Monegasques to grab a precious point in Zagreb, in very special conditions. Still undefeated, the latter will return to the Champions League in three weeks at the Stade Louis-II against Red Star Belgrade (Tuesday the 22nd at 6:45 p.m.).

Key moments 🎥

4′: A free kick from Baturina hit hard and deflected by Köhn
10′: An acrobatic effort Petkovic goes over
13′: A blocked shot by Akliouche is taken up by Minamino who is denied by Nevistic
45′: Petkovic finds himself with a one-on-one against Köhn who deflects the ball away before the flag goes up
45+3′: Susic is found with a long ball, beats Caio Henrique and finishes perfectly (1-0)
49′: Ademi is found in depth and plays in Petkovic, but the flag is raised
52′: On a corner, Petkovic misses the target from 5 meters out
55′: An overhit shot by Balogun is caught by Nevistic
66′: Baturina turns on to his left foot and curls the ball into the far side of the net (2-0)
74′: Corner by Akliouche is headed in by Salisu (2-1)
85′: The ball is shifted to Kacavenda whose shot is blocked by Köhn
87′: A shot by Ouattara is blocked but headed again by Minamino whose effort is stopped
90′: A penalty is powerfully converted by Zakaria who finds the top corner (2-2)

The stat 📊

Maghnes Akliouche is the fourth AS Monaco player to be involved in at least one goal in each of his first two Champions League appearances (1 goal against Barcelona and 1 assist tonight) since Opta began collecting this data (2003-2004), after Fernando Morientes, Jérôme Rothen and Javier Saviola.

📋 Match details:

Wednesday, October 2 (21:00) – Stadion Maksimir 

Champions – Matchday 2: Dinamo Zagreb 2-2 AS Monaco 

Halftime: 1-0

Goals: Susic (45+3′) and Baturina (66′) for Zagreb; Salisu (74′) and Zakaria (90′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: Petkovic (26′), Ademi (38′), Baturina (42′) and Kacavenda (81′) for Zagreb; Salisu (22′) and Embolo (28′) for AS Monaco

Dinamo Zagreb: Nevistic – Ristovski, Théophile-Catherine, Bernauer, Torrente, Pierre-Gabriel – Ademi ©️ (Rog, 63′), Misic, Sucic – Baturina (Kacavenda, 75′), Petkovic