AS Monaco and Lens draw in a crazy match

At the end of a match where they first took the lead through their new captain Denis Zakaria, the Rouge et Blanc conceded a draw in added time after a penalty converted by RC Lens (1-1).

They were very close to achieving a perfect start to this first month of league competition. Unfortunately, despite a header from Denis Zakaria, AS Monaco conceded a penalty in added time, perfectly converted by Frankowski. It’s a result which nevertheless allows the team to remain unbeaten. ✍️

The context 📅

Authors of a perfect start to the season with two wins against Saint-Etienne at home (1-0) and then in Lyon (0-2), the Rouge et Blanc wanted to make it 3 from 3 against Lens, which would be a first since 2017. The task did not look easy, however, since the Sang et Or also had six points after two matches.

In my opinion, Lens is one of the best teams in Ligue 1. I like their style of play and the quality of the players. Physically, they are also very strong. It is a great challenge for us. Lens is also off to a good start with six points on the board. We want to win this match against them, but to do so, we will have to put in a very good performance.

The eleven 👥

To start the match, Adi Hütter decided to make a large rotation by modifying his entire defense with the entries of Jordan Teze and Christian Mawissa, who were first-time starters alongside Wilfried Singo and Kassoum Ouattara. Soungoutou Magassa was lined up alongside Denis Zakaria in midfield, while Folarin Balogun was a sole striker in a 4-2-3-1.

The scenario 🎞

Despite the stifling heat (35°C at kick-off), both teams managed to create opening chances. First on the Lens side, Florian Sotoca forced Philipp Köhn to save (4′), before Maghnes Akliouche (5′) and Takumi Minamino (8′)  saw their shots go wide. The Olympic vice-champion’s one-touch attempt was then caught by Samba (17′).

But it was the opponents who create the biggest opportunity in this first period through Adrien Thomasson and Wesley Saïd (31′). Fortunately, it is the post that pushes back their attempts each time. The Monaco response came before the break through Folarin Balogun, whose blocked shot went behind for a corner (42′), then by an overhit attempt from Captain Zak’ (45 + 3′). It is on this last action that the referee whistled half-time with the score nil-nil.

Köhn and Samba with big saves

The second half started at a similar pace on both sides, due to the heat still present. On a sublime three-way move between Balo’, Taki and Maghnes, the first chance was for Monaco but the latter stumbled on the return of a defender (54′). Shortly thereafter, Köhn made a big save on a vicious strike from Sotoca (58′), before the American striker had a powerful attempt, pushed back with difficulty by Samba (61′).

In an attempt to make a difference, the Monaco coach made three changes with the arrival of Breel Embolo, George Ilenikhena and Caio Henrique for his first appearance this season (65′). Despite this, it was the Lensois who proved to be the most dangerous through Sotoca again but Philipp won his one-on-one in a masterly manner (72′).

Zakaria, the unfortunate hero

The Monaco goalkeeper, however, could do nothing about Labeau Lascary’s goal, which was fortunately disallowed by VAR for a handball by the Lens striker (79′). It was a stroke of luck in favor of the Monegasques that they validated five minutes later with a furious header from their captain on a corner taken by the Brazilian left-back (84′).

There was then less success then from VAR when it picked up a handball from Zak’ in his area which forced the referee to whistle a penalty (90+1′). It was perfectly converted by Frankowski, although Philipp had gone the right way (90+3′). The Rouge et Blanc wanted to win and their Swiss striker saw his header flirt with Samba’s post (90+6′). What a shame!

AS Monaco still undefeated this season

It was the last chance of the game and Mr. Delajod whistled the end of the match a few moments to end the draw (1-1). It was a score that allows AS Monaco to remain undefeated this season and to remain atop the table provisionally. Time for the international break now before a trip to Auxerre, on Saturday September 14 (7 p.m.). Daghe Munegu! 🇲🇨

Key moments 🎥

4′: Sotoca’s shot is easily caught by Köhn
5′: Akliouche’s powerful shot is slightly over
8′: Minamino’s shot flirts with Samba’s goal
17′: Akliouche’s one-touch shot caught by Samba
27′: Aguilar’s low cross is read well by Köhn
28′: ​​Saïd’s shot is just over the bar
31′: Thomasson and Saïd hit the post for Lens twice
42′: Balogun’s shot is blocked behind for a corner by Gradit
45+3′: Zakaria’s low shot is overhit
54′: Superb three-way play that results in a blocked shot by Akliouche
58′: Köhn saves a slightly deflected Sotoca shot
61′: Balogun’s powerful shot is barely blocked by Samba
72′: A one-on-one is won by Köhn in front of Sotoca
79′: A goal is disallowed for Labeau Lascary for handball
84′: Goal by Zakaria with a header from a corner by Caio Henrique (1-0)
90+1′: Penalty won  by Lens following a handball by Zak’
90+3′: It is converted by Frankowski (1-1)
90+6′: A header by Embolo is just past the post

📋 Match details:

Sunday September 1 – Stade Louis-II

Ligue 1 – Matchday 3: AS Monaco 1-1 RC Lens

Halftime: 0-0

Goals: Zakaria (84′) for AS Monaco; Frankowski (90+3′) for Lens

Bookings: Gradit (9′), Aguilar (34′), Sotoca (40′), Labeau Lascary (68′) for Lens

AS Monaco : Köhn – Teze (Vanderson, 46′), Singo, Mawissa (Golovin, 81′), Ouattara (C.Henrique, 65′) – Magassa, Zakaria © – Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir (Ilenikhena, 65′) – Balogun (Embolo, 65′)