AS Monaco fall on penalties in Reims in the Round of 32

Having come back level with the Champenois in the last half hour after being behind at half-time, the Rouge et Blanc finally lost ina penalty shootout in the Round of 32 of the Coupe de France (1-1, 3-1).

It wasn’t very far from being different. Initially in control in a match where they were nevertheless behind on the scoreboard at half-time, the AS Monaco players would once again catch up, before finally losing to Stade de Reims on penalties (1-1, 3-1 penalties). It was thus a cruel elimination in the round of 32 of the Coupe de France, which will have to be digested quickly. ✍️

The context 📅

After a successful entry into the competition in the Round of 64 against L’Union Saint-Jean (1-4), of the Régional 1, the Rouge et Blanc woudl continue their adventure. This would require a good performance against SDR, who had earned a draw against the Principality side in Ligue 1 on December 14 (0-0). Note that at this stage of the Cup, the latter currently has a qualification rate of 77.2% (44/57).

We are always under pressure, that's nothing new! Facing Reims is a touch match in this Coupe de France. We are going to face an elite team, which requires more concentration and application than what we were able to show in the first half in Nantes.

Adi HütterOn the match in Reims

The XI 👥

To start this third match in nine days, Adi Hütter logically decided to make some changes. The Singo-Salisu duo started in defence, while Soungoutou Magassa started in midfield. Of note as well would be a first start for Lucas Michal, who had impressed off the bench  in Nantes this weekend in Ligue 1.

The scenario 🎞

There was no time for observation round, since Breel Embolo had himself a first chance after a long one-two with Kassoum Ouattara, whose cross he unfortunately failed to meet (1′). Shortly thereafter, Eliesse Ben Seghir tried a solo run, but eased off his shot too much and saw it go over (5′). These were two hot chances despite the negative temperature (-2 degrees), which preceded an overhit shot by Junya Ito (7′).

A stroke of bad luck despite a strong display

The match continued to be lively, even if Wilfried Singo was forced off quickly (8′). And Takumi Minamino then though he had opened the scoring before seeing the flag go up (13′).

The intensity then dropped somewhat, even though Teddy Teuma tried his luck with a free kick (22nd), before Marshall Munetsi saw his shot blocked by Philipp Köhn (32′). The latter, however, could do nothing when Cédric Kipré scored with a powerful header on another set piece by the Reims number 10 before the break (1-0, 45′).

A debut for Mika Biereth

The restart came with a double change made by Adi Hütter, who brought on Jordan Teze and Mika Biereth the latter making his debut in Rouge et Blanc (46′). The first two chances of the half fell to for Monaco, but Breel Embolo failed to get his shot on target (55′) or to do the same with a volley (56′), both on passes from Taki’. It was then the turn of the Japanese international to miss the target on a cutback from Vanderson (60′).

Salisu is sharp to score the equalizer!

But on the following chance, the newest Monégasque played in a great cross to Mohammed Salisu who leveled the match with a header (1-1, 70′)! It was a second match in a row scoring for the Ghanaian after Nantes, and a first assist for the Danish striker, who would then himself be in a position to shoot (75′). There was even a chance for Breel Embolo to be the match winner with a header twice (72′ and 94′), and the same was true for Oumar Diakité for the Champagneois (92′).

Cruel elimination on penalties

But it is not the case and the two teams headed to a penalty shootout, which unfortunately would not smile on the Rouge et Blanc, as we lost after three missed attempts (3-1) and will have to raise their heads very quickly in Ligue 1 on Friday in Montpellier (7 p.m.).

Key moments 🎥

1′: Ouattara crosses for Embolo who cannot reach it at the 1st post
5′: Ben Seghir makes a solo run, fakes a shot and then shoots over
7′: Nakamura passes to Ito who overhits his attempt
13′: Minamino’s goal is disallowed for offside
22′: Teuma’s free kick grazes the base of Köhn’s post
32′: Munetsi’s shot is blocked by Philipp Köhn
45′: Teuma’s free kick is headed in by Kipré (1-0)
55′: Minamino plays in Embolo who shoots well over
60′: Vanderson cuts the ball back for Minamino who misses the target
70′: Biereth crosses for Salisu who equalizes with a header (1-1)
72′: Embolo’s header is caught by Diouf
75′: Biereth’s first-time shot is stopped by Diouf
92′: Koné is denied by Köhn
94′: Embolo has a header on a free kick by Caio Henrique

🗓️ Match details:

Tuesday, January 14 (20:45) – Stade Auguste-Delaune

Goals: Kipré (45′) for Reims; Salisu (70′) for AS Monaco

Penalties: Nakamura ✅ Salama ✅ Kipré ❌ Diakité ✅ for Reims; C.Henrique ❌ Biereth ❌ Camara ❌ Embolo ✅ for AS Monaco

Stade de Reims: Diouf – Buta, Okumu (Koné, 64′), Kipré, Sangui – Munetsi, Atangana, Teuma © (Diakité, 74′) – Ito (Salama, 74′), Nakamura, Diakhon (Akieme, 65′)