Ten-man AS Monaco lose to Lens
Facing RC Lens on the 12th matchday of Ligue 1 McDonald’s, AS Monaco suffered a 4-1 defeat, likely fatigued by the packed schedule of the past three weeks. The match was played at the Stade Louis-II in the presence of President Dmitry Rybolovlev. Recap ✍️
The context 📅
It was another big match that awaited AS Monaco. After beating Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League in difficult conditions four days earlier, the Rouge et Blanc hosted RC Lens at the Stade Louis-II, a side that sat third in the standings. The task promised to be difficult, but it was a great opportunity to overtake a direct rival for a podium finish before the November international break.
The XI 👥
To tackle this top-of-the-table clash, Sébastien Pocognoli slightly modified his system and switched to two strikers with Folarin Balogun and Mika Biereth. They would be supported by Maghnes Akliouche, while Mamadou Coulibaly and Aleksandr Golovin are back in midfield. At the back, nothing changed from the starting XI that played in Norway on Tuesday.
The scenario 🎞
The match began at a high tempo, with Aleksandr Golovin coming close to opening the scoring but losing his one-on-one against Robin Risser (3′). Moments later, the Russian midfielder laid the ball back to Folarin Balogun, whose shot was also saved by the Lens goalkeeper (6′). The opposition responded three minutes later when Odsonne Edouard hit the post (9′).
Two goals in a week for Balo’
Unfortunately, the striker then had more luck, opening the scoring after an initial save by Philipp Köhn (0-1, 21′). The Rouge et Blanc responded well, and Balo converted a penalty he himself had won (1-1, 37′). It was his second goal of the week after the winning goal against Bodø/Glimt. But there was no time to savor the victory as Wesley Saïd put the visitors ahead with a powerful shot (1-2, 40′).
AS Monaco down to ten before the break
Once again trailing, Monaco were reduced to ten men before halftime with the harsh sending-off of their American striker, guilty of a foul on Mamadou Sangaré (45′). The end of the first half was thus difficult, and Sangaré scored a third goal for Lens (1-3, 45+3′). In an attempt to get back into the game, Sébastien Pocognoli brought on Lucas Michal for his season debut.
Un changement côté monégasque au retour des vestiaires :
🟢 Lucas Michal
🔴 Aleksandr Golovin46' | 1️⃣-3️⃣ #ASMRCL
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) November 8, 2025
But it was Lens, with the man advantage, who looked the most dangerous, first through Florian Thauvin, whose shot grazed the post (56′), and then through Wesley Saïd, who scored his second goal of the match (1-4, 60′). Shortly afterwards, substitute George Ilenikhena distinguished himself with a powerful shot that went over the bar (67′). This surge of pride was confirmed by a shot from Maghnes Akliouche that was saved by Risser (73rd’). Before that, Mohammed Salisu had cleared a Matthieu Udol effort off the line (70′).
Rest up to return at full strength
The Monaco coach then took the opportunity to give playing time to Denis Zakaria, back in action after nearly two months out through injury (79′). This was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult evening, which ended with a missed penalty by Ansu Fati (93′). Now, it’s time for the international break, where the team will need to recharge their batteries before coming back strong against Rennes on Saturday, November 22nd (7 pm), on Matchday 13 of Ligue 1.
Défaite face à Lens.
1️⃣-4️⃣ #ASMRCL pic.twitter.com/OA5NW04dNJ
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) November 8, 2025
Key moments 🎥
3′: On a one-on-one with Risser, Golovin misjudges his dribble and loses the duel
6′: On a cutback by Golovin, Balogun’s shot is saved by Risser
9′: Edouard’s header hits the post, and the ball then falls to Köhn
21′: Edouard scores after an initial save by Köhn (0-1)
37′: Balogun converts the penalty (1-1)
39′: Köhn makes a save from a long-range shot by Saïd
40′: Saïd puts Lens ahead with a powerful shot (1-2)
43′: Udol’s header is caught by Köhn at the near post
45′: Balogun is sent off for a studs-up challenge on Sangaré
45+3′: Sangaré scores with a left-footed shot (1-3)
54′: Saïd’s long-range effort is gathered by Köhn
56′: Thauvin’s shot goes wide
60′: Saïd scores a second goal with a header at the near post from a corner (1-4)
67′: Ilenikhena’s powerful shot goes over the bar
70′: Salisu clears Udol’s shot off the line
73′: Akliouche’s fine shot is saved by Risser
93′: Fati misses a penalty won by Ilenikhena
🗓️ Match details:
Saturday November 8 (21:05) – Stade Louis-II
Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Matchday 12: AS Monaco 1-4 RC Lens
Halftime: 1-3
Goals: Balogun (37′) for AS Monaco; Edouard (21′), Saïd (40′), Sangaré (45+3′) for Lens
Bookings: Gradit (57′), Aguilar (74′) for Lens
Dismissals: Balogun (45′) for AS Monaco
AS Monaco: Köhn – Kehrer ©, Salisu, C.Henrique – Teze (Cabral, 61′), Golovin (Michal, 46′), Coulibaly (Zakaria, 79′), Akliouche (Fati, 73′), Ouattara – Balogun, Biereth (Ilenikhena (61′)
Substitutes: Lienard, Dier, Cabral, Idumbo, Zakaria, Minamino, Fati, Ilenikhena, Michal
Manager: Sébastien Pocognoli
RC Lens: Risser – Gradit, Baidoo, Sarr – Aguilar (Bermont, 84′), Thomasson © (Sotoca, 84′), Sangaré (Bulatovic, 63′), Udol – Thauvin, Saïd (Guilavogui, 71′) Edouard (Fofana, 71′)
Substitutes: Gurtner, Ganiou, Machado, Bermont, Bulatovic, Fofana, Guilavogui, Sima, Sotoca
Manager: Pierre Sage
