Patient against Le Havre, AS Monaco wins to go joint top

Pushed around by the valiant Normans in the first half, the Rouge et Blanc showed experience to make the difference after the break against Le Havre (3-1). It's a win that allows them to join PSG at the top of the table.

A victory won through patience! After being battered in the first half, the AS Monaco players showed their skill to finally win after the break against Le Havre (3-1). It was a win achieved under the watchful eye of President Dmitry Rybolovlev, which allows the Rouge et Blanc to join Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1 ✍️

The context 📅

Full of confidence after a big win over FC Barcelona at the start of their Champions League campaign (2-1), the Rouge et Blanc were keen to build on their successful debut in Ligue 1 (3 wins, 1 draw). A mission that is not so easy against HAC, already with six points and drew here in the Principality last season.e (1-1).

I am fully focused on this match which is very important to me. It will be totally different from Thursday's, but we will be 100% ready for this new deadline. We will have to show a lot of seriousness.

The XI 👥

To start this important match, which could allow AS Monaco to go level with PSG, Adi Hütter opted for a change to a flat 4-4-2, with the Ilenikhena – Balogun leading the attack. We also note the returns of Caio Henrique and Aleksandr Golovin in the starting eleven. Jordan Teze started on the right of the defense, while Soungoutou Magassa in midfield.

The scenario 🎞

Full of confidence, the Rouge et Blanc were quick to show themselves, with a first blocked shot from the Russian playmaker (7′). But it was shortly thereafter the Takumi Minamino would find the opening goal, shifting the ball to Jordan Teze, who just has to finish from close range (1-0, 9′)! It was a assist for the Japanese playmaker this season, and above all a first goal for the Dutch full-back with AS Monaco.

A close chance, and an opportunistic HAC

Soungoutou Magassa even came close to doubling the lead on the quarter of an hour on a tight cross from Balogun (16′). Unfortunately from there the pace of the match dropped, and on a corner by Le Havre, Daler Kuziaev surprised everyone by finding the goal (1-1, 30′). Stunned but combative, the Monegasques then struck the bar through Folarin Balogun (32′).

A big scare, but no penalty

The break came with the score level, after a disappointing first half. This was the moment chosen by Adi Hütter to bring on Denis Zakaria and Eliesse Ben Seghir, to energize the midfield. The second half was lively, and the Normans thought they had gone ahead on a goal by Josué Casimir, which was finally refused by VAR for offside (47′). The Monegasque response was not long in coming and Balo’ saw his shot graze Arthur Desmas’ post (48′).

Eliesse’s flash of genius, Balo’s finish!

The Rouge et Blanc got their foot back on the ball, and on a run by Wilfried Singo, Eliesse Ben Seghir turned and sent a lovely curling ball into the corner (2-1, 66′)! What a goal from the attacking midfielder formed at the Academy, who scored his second goal of the season in Ligue 1. But the Monegasques were not satisfied, and following a high recovery from Zakaria, Ilenikhena perfectly found Folarin Balogun who didn’t hesitate (3-1, 70′)!

A win to go top!

It was a tough blow for HAC, who would not recover, despite a last off-target attempt by Joujou (86′). In added time, the Nigerian striker even nearly made the score a little heavier. It was job done, AS Monaco won for the fourth time in five Ligue 1 matches and join PSG at the top of the table. DAGHE MUNEGU! 🇲🇨

Key moments 🎥

7′: Golovin goes alone on goal but his shot is deflected for a corner
9′: Minamino plays in Teze who finishes from close range (1-0)
16′: A cross from Balogun for Magassa who narrowly misses
30′: On a corner, Kuziaev finds the back of the net (1-1)
32′: Ilenikhena plays in Balogun who hits the bar, but the offside flag is up
47′: Kechta launches Casimir who finishes alone, but his goal is disallowed for offside
48′: Teze connects with Balogun whose shot grazes the post
66′: A superb curling effort from Ben Seghir finds the opposite corner (2-1)
70′: Ilenikhena plays  in Balogun to double the lead (3-1)
78′: A powerful shot from Ilenikhena is just over
86′: An off-target shot from Joujou
96′: An attempt by Ben Seghir is captured by Desmas

The stat 📊

Jordan Teze is the 4th Dutch player to find the net for AS Monaco in Ligue 1, after Bert Carlier (37 goals between 1958 and 1963), Ruud Suurendonk (1 in 1972) and Myron Boadu (8 between 2021 and 2023).

📋 Match details:

Sunday September 22 – Stade Louis-II

Ligue 1 – Matchday 5: AS Monaco 3-1 Le Havre

Halftime: 1-1

Goals: Teze (9′), Ben Seghir (66′) and Balogun (70′) for AS Monaco; Kuziaev (30′) for Le Havre