AS Monaco lose in Montpellier

Despite great domination and 26 shots taken, 11 of which were on target, the Rouge et Blanc lost away to Montpellier (2-1).

A frustrating defeat. The AS Monaco players suffered from the clincal play of their opponent and fell at La Mosson, under the eyes of President Dmitry Rybolovlev, who was present in the stands ✍️

The context 📅

In the midst of a more difficult situation in terms of results and having been eliminated from the Coupe de France midweek, our Rouge et Blanc want to raise their heads against Montpellier, the league’s bottom side. To do this, they would be able to draw inspiration from the last three matches against them in which they were consistently impressive.

We are not in the best situation on the pitch but we have to stay positive, communicate positively, believe in ourselves and our style of play. It is nonsense to talk about bad things all the time. We want to get out of this quickly, that is clear.

The XI 👥

At the start of this match, Adi Hütter made five changes compared to the Round of 32 of the Coupe de France with the arrivals of Radoslaw Majecki, who returned to his place as goalkeeper, Jordan Teze, Thilo Kehrer, Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Biereth. The latter was making his first start in the Principality leading the attack was supported by Eliesse Ben Seghir and Takumi Minamino in a 4-2-3-1.

The scenario 🎞

Facing the league’s bottom side, the Monegasques wanted to show their superiority from the start and Eliesse Ben Seghir saw his sublime strike deflected by Benjamin Lecomte for a corner (2′). The Moroccan international then lacked the finishing touch twice (11′, 17′), while Mohammed Salisu also was denied by the former Monégasque at a set piece (15′).

Montpellier responded immediately through Moussa Al-Tamari as his shot flirted with Radoslaw Majecki’s post (25′). It was a small scare that did not slow down the domination from the Principality club who obtained yet another corner. Found by Lamine Camara, Thilo Kehrer cut in at the near post and opened the scoring (32′) with his fourth goal of the season!

The player named the best young African player was thus the author of his fourth assist, but our Polish goalkeeper then had to be vigilant in front of Wahbi Khazri by winning his duel (35′). The first period half ended with a 17th Monegasque attempt by Maghnes Akliouche but he also was denied by Benjamin Lecomte (45′).

A stroke of luck for the equalizer

The second half was more balanced and Al Tamari took advantage of a defensive error to equalise just before the hour mark (55′). Shortly thereafter, the Monegasque coach made a triple change with the entries of Caio Henrique, Vanderson and Lucas Michal (61′). And it was again on a corner from Lamine Camara that AS Monaco created an opportunity but Soungoutou Magassa’s header was pushed away by Lecomte (73′).

Lift our heads for the Champions League

Breel Embolo and Aleksandr Golovin then made their appearances to try to make the difference but it was Montpellier who took the lead through the Jordanian international on a counter (82′). The Rouge et Blanc gave their all and Mika Biereth had a late chance at the near post, but Lecomte got down well to save (93′).

Soungoutou Magassa then tried his hand but once again, Lecomte was vigilant (96′). It was the last chance of the match and AS Monaco unfortunately lost 2-1 away to Montpellier. Now it’s time for the return of the Champions League with a visit from Aston Villa Tuesday at the Stade Louis-II.

Key moments 🎥

2′: Ben Seghir’s sublime strike is deflected for a corner by Lecomte
11′: Ben Seghir’s attempt from the edge of the area is just wide
15′: Salisu reaaches a corner from Camara at the near post, but his effort is kept out by Lecomte
17′: Ben Seghir stumbles again against the Montpellier goalkeeper
25′: Al Tamari overhits his effort and, his left-footed shot flirts with the post
32′: Kehrer opens the scoring with a header from a corner (0-1)
35′: Majecki does well in a one-on-one with Khazri
45′: After a counterattack, Akliouche is denied by Lecomte at the near post
55′: Al Tamari dribbles around Majecki and equalizes (1-1)
73′: Lecomte gets a firm hand to a header by Magassa
82′: Al Tamari beats Majecki with a shot at the near post (2-1)
93′: Biereth shoots from the near post, but Lecomte gets down well
96′: Lecomte stops a shot from Magassa from the edge of the area

🗓️ Match details:

Friday Janaury 17 (19:00) – Stade de la Mosson

Ligue 1 – Matchday 18: Montpellier HSC 2-1 AS Monaco 

Halftime: 0-1

Goals: Al Tamari (55′, 82′) for Montpellier; Kehrer (32′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: Mouanga (81′) for Montpellier; Vanderson (67′) for AS Monaco

Montpellier HSC: Lecomte © – Sylla (Sainte-Luce, 64′), Sagnan, Omeragic, Mouanga (Dzodic, 89′), Tchato – Chotard, Nzigoula (Fayad, 64′), Savanier – Tamari (Maamma, 92′), Khazri (Nordin, 64′)

Substitutes: Bertaud, Chennahi, Dzodic, Sainte-Luce, Fayad, Adams, Issoufou, Maamma, Nordin

Manager: Jean-Louis Gasset

AS Monaco: Majecki – Teze (Vanderson, 65′), Kehrer ©, Salisu, Ouattara (C.Henrique, 61′) – Magassa, Camara – Akliouche (Michal, 61′, Golovin, 81′), Minamino, Ben Seghir (Embolo, 77′) – Biereth