In total control, AS Monaco roll against AJ Auxerre

The Rouge et Blanc, who were dominant throughout, won comfortably in Auxerre and temporarily climbed into second place with ten points to date (0-3).

Back from a perfectly negotiated break! After two weeks without a match, the players of AS Monaco were in top form at the Stade Abbé-Deschamps, winning 3-0 thanks to Thilo Kehrer, Vanderson and Denis Zakaria. It was a result which allows them to climb provisionally into second place and to prepare ideally for the big match against Barcelona (Thursday, 21:00).

The context 📅

After a two-week break without a match due to the international break, AS Monaco returns to the championship in Auxerre. Undefeated until then, the Red and Whites want to stay that way while they are opposed to a promoted club, 13th in the standings. The objective will therefore be to take the three points, without having the minds turned towards FC Barcelona, ​​as was keen to point out le coach en conférence de presse.

We have to focus only on the match against AJA tomorrow because the championship is our daily objective. We must not think about Barcelona yet because then we will have plenty of time to prepare.

The eleven 👥

For this fourth round of Ligue 1, Adi Hütter line up his team in 4-2-3-1 where we noted the return from suspension of Lamine Camara in midfield, starting next to Denis Zakaria. Aleksandr Golovin and Caio Henrique also started for the first time this season, while Breel Embolo led the line.

The scenario 🎞

Encouraged by 1,000 supporters present in the away end, the Rouge et Blanc got off to the perfect start. On a corner taken by Lamine Camara, Thilo Kehrer let fly with a powerful header, which beat Donovan Léon (8′). It was a first assist for the Senegalese and the second goal for the defender in his Monaco career.

A fine pass from Zak’ and a clinical finish by Vandi’

Dominant, they continue to corner their opponents and Breel Embolo fired a header over the bar in the six-yard box (23′). There was more success for Vanderson who finished with composure in the area after receiving a fine ball from Captain Zak’ (25′).

The lead was doubled in this first period but it was not enough for Adi Hütter’s players who pushed forward before the break, without finding the goal. Eliesse Ben Seghir lost out against the opposing goalkeeper (39th), while Maghnes Akliouche fired a curling shot over the bar (45+2′).

A hail of Monégasque chances

The 15 minutes spent in the locker room did not dampen the ardour of the Rouge et Blanc and the bronze medalist attempted a powerful strike. It was caught by Leon at his near post (50′). It was then the turn of Aleksandr Golovin, at the end of a well-negotiated counter, to come close to a third goal but his chipped ball went just wide (61′). Then, Breel Embolo lost a one-on-one against the goalkeeper (62′).

Following this opportunity, Adi Hütter made a triple change with the entries of Takumi Minamino, George Ilenikhena and Folarin Balogun (64′). The two attackers did not take long to make their connection part of the match since the former Antwerp striker played in a deep ball for the American. Unfortunately, his shot was deflected behind for a corner by Leon (66′).

The third goal from Zak’!

Auxerre were not very dangerous, even if we had to be careful with Traoré’s half-volley, which flirted with Philipp Köhn’s crossbar (84′). Balo’s response was immediate with an attempt that  was overhit (85′). The goal for 3-0 finally came four minutes later from Denis Zakaria on a new corner. On a header from Thilo Kehrer poorly cleared by the goalkeeper, the captain indeed scored from close range, finding the net for the second match in a row (89′).

Perfect preparation for Barcelona

It was the last big chance of the game and AS Monaco thus won serenely by the score of 3-0 at the Stad eAbbé-Deschamps. After being held by Lens before the break, the Rouge et Blanc are therefore back on the front foot and in second place, having prepared in the best way for their big match against Barcelona on Thursday (21:00). DAGHE MUNEGU !!!! 🇲🇨

Key moments 🎥

8′: Kehrer opens the scoring with a header from a corner (0-1)
23′: Embolo heads over after a pass from C. Henrique
25′: Zakaria makes a superb pass for Vandi who finishes coolly (0-2)
39′: Ben Seghir loses a one-on-one to Léon
45+2′ Akliouche fires over
50′: Ben Seghir’s powerful shot is caught by Léon at his near post
61′ Golovin narrowly misses the target on the counter
62′: Embolo loses a duel with Léon
66′: Léon taps away a shot from Balogun
73′: Traoré’s volley is well off-target
84′: Traoré’s half-volley flirts with Köhn’s bar
85′: Balogun’s shot from close range just misses
89′: Zakaria scores from close range at a corner (0-3)

The stat 📊

With a another clean sheet, their third in four games, AS Monaco have conceded only one goal after 4 Ligue 1 matches, equalling their best defensive performance in the top flight at this stage of the competition (1 in 1960/61).

📋 Match details:

Saturday September 14 – Stade Abbé-Deschamps

Ligue 1 – Matchday 4 : AJ Auxerre 0-3 AS Monaco

Halftime: 0-2

Goals: Kehrer (8′), Vanderson (25′), Zakaria (89′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: Osho (14′), Owusu (43′), Jubal (45+1′) for AJ Auxerre

AJ Auxerre: Léon – Joly (Zossou, 85′), Osho, Jubal ©, Diomandé, Akpa – Raveloson (Ayé, 71′), Owusu (Danois, 71′), Traoré – Perrin (Onaiwu, 71′), Sinayoko (Dioussé, 85′)

Substitutes: De Percin – Pellenard, Maddy, Dioussé, Danois, Bair, Ayé, Onaiwu, Zossou

Manager: Christophe Pélissier