MATCH REPORT: AS Monaco 5-1 Mainz 05

AS Monaco cruised to a confidence-boosting 5-1 win over Mainz 05 ahead of their first competitive game of the season against Young Boys on Tuesday!
With ominously dark skies above the compact arena in Geneva, kick-off was moved back after the German side were delayed on their way to the stadium. The Red & Whites came out of the blocks fast, with Martial lashing an effort off target in the 8th minute. Dirar then caused panic in the Mainz back line, but his pass for Martial was cut out by some last ditch defending (8 mins). But the Monegasques were then taken by surprise as Samperio opened the scoring on 12 minutes.
Quick-fire double for Martial
The response was immediate. Martial won and converted a penalty to draw the sides level (18 mins), before seizing on a superb through ball from Dirar just a minute later to put AS Monaco in front. The Monegasque machine was back up and running, and Cavaleiro darted into the German area and made it three with a thumping effort on the half-hour. With the rain beginning to soak the pitch, Dirar saw a shot saved by the 'keeper just before the break.
Alert for Moutinho
AS Monaco made three changes at the break, with Touré, Cavaleiro and Dirar coming off to be replaced by Lemar, Costa and Bakayoko. There were a string of other substitutions throughout the second half, including Bahlouli for Moutinho, who was forced off on 54 minutes with an ankle knock. While Malli saw an effort strike Subasic's post, it was Kurzawa who bagged the next goal on 62 minutes as he headed in Lemar's corner. That fourth goal put AS Monaco out of sight and killed off any hopes of a German comeback.
Carrillo's first goal
Things got even better for the Red & Whites in the 79th minute, as Carrillo notched his first goal for the club with a bullet header from a corner that gave the 'keeper no chance. By this stage, there was only one team in it. The Argentine was to the fore once again in the closing stages, making a crucial defensive intervention to ensure AS Monaco ended their pre-season preparations with an excellent result against a side that finished 11th in the Bundesliga last term. They will need to produce more of the same next week in Bern...