A clinical AS Monaco defeats Orléans to reach the round of 16

They drew on their top-level experience. Clinical in the opposition’s penalty area and solid defensively, despite playing with ten men for 45 minutes, AS Monaco’s players managed to overcome a valiant US Orléans side in the round of 32 of the Coupe de France. (1-3). Recap. ✍️

The context 📅

Having beaten Auxerre to reach the round of 32 before the holidays, AS Monaco’s players now faced Orléans, currently third in National 1 (the third tier of French football), in the Coupe de France. This stage of the competition has historically been quite successful for the club from the Principality, as they have advanced past this round 76% of the time (44 out of 58 appearances). However, they shouldn’t be complacent, because while they are logically the favorites, US Orléans were on a run of four consecutive victories.

𝐔𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 💥

Mamadou Coulibaly fait parler la technique, Mika Biereth termine pour son doublé 🎯

‣ #AJAASM pic.twitter.com/Godtfdekx9

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) December 22, 2025

The XI 👥

To prepare for this match in the Loiret region, Sébastien Pocognoli had to contend with no less than 11 absentees due to injury, suspension, or the Africa Cup of Nations, but could count on the return of Eric Dier, who would partner Thilo Kehrer in central defense. The 4-4-2 diamond formation was also retained, with the Biereth-Balogun duo leading the attack, supported by… Denis Zakaria, Stanis Idumbo, Aleksandr Golovin and Jordan Teze.

The scenario 🎞

In front of a packed away section filled with 350 Monaco fans, the match began intensely, with Thilo Kehrer’s header going over the bar (2′). USO responded immediately through Guillaume Khous, who met a cross at the near post (7′) but he was denied by a big… Philipp Köhn who would then  prevent the opening goal by successively deflecting attempts from Jordan Morel (13′), Fahd El Khoumisti (25”) and Arthur Lallias (26′).

Balogun is clinical with his first chance

These were match-saving saves, since following these chances, Folarin Balogun  was found in the penalty area by Denis Zakaria where he cleverly beat Fei-Hong Faham (0-1, 27′ minute). This was the American’s eighth goal of the season, and it gives his team the lead. Ahead on the scoreboard, the Rouge et Blanc found themselves a man down again after a second yellow card was shown to… Stanis Idumbo before the the break, at which we retained our one-goal advantage (44′).

AS Monaco holds firm despite being a man down

The second half started at a slow pace, although Mika Biereth had to be fully alert to clear a ball in his own six-yard box in front of El Khoumisti (49′). Orléans were mainly dangerous from set pieces and corners, with Khous forcing the Monaco goalkeeper into a save before the National 1 top scorer hit the post (63′). He then distinguished himself again with a shot on the turn that was caught by Philipp Köhn (70′).

George “supersub” Ilenikhena seals our progress

AS Monaco held firm and Sébastien Pocognoli made changes with the introductions of Aladji Bamba (77′) and George Ilenikhena (86′). The coach’s change proved decisive, as the young striker broke away twice on the counter-attack and calmly beat the Wasps’ goalkeeper (0-2, 88′; 0-3, 94′)! The victory was secured, but USO didn’t give up, and Fahd El Khoumisti was rewarded for his efforts (1-3, 96′).

Immediately after the goal that reduced the deficit, the referee blew the final whistle, sealing AS Monaco’s qualification for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France (1-3). Our attention now turns to the league and the match against Lorient next Friday (7 PM) at the Stade Louis-II. DAGHE MUNEGU !!! 🇲🇨

The stat’ 📊

The Rouge et Blanc have now crossed the threshold of the round of 32 45 times in 59 attempts, a qualification rate of more than 76%.

Key moments 🎥

2′: Kehrer’s header goes over the bar from a free-kick taken by Teze
7′: Khous heads El Khoumisti’s cross at the near post, but it goes over
13′: Köhn tips away a cross-shot from Morel
25′: Köhn saves a powerful shot from El Khoumisti
26′: Superb save by Köhn from a long-range effort by Lallias
27′: Balogun perfectly places his shot and beats Faham (0-1)
44′: Second yellow card for Idumbo, resulting in a red card
63′: Köhn saves a header from Khous, then El Khoumisti hits the post
70′: Köhn dives to his right to catch a shot from El Khoumisti
88′: Ilenikhena breaks away on the counter-attack and doubles the lead with his first touch (0-2)
94′: Ilenikhena scores his second, again on the counter-attack (0-3)
96′: El Khoumisti pulls one back with a fine strike (1-3)

🗓️ Match details:

Saturday January 10 2026 (15:30) – Stade de la Source

Coupe de France – Round of 32: US Orléans 1-3 AS Monaco

Halftime: 0-1

Goals: El Khoumisti (96′); Balogun (27′), Ilenikhena (88′, 94′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: Mouton (79′) for Orléans; Idumbo (29′), (44′), Teze (56′) for AS Monaco

Red cards: Idumbo (44′) for AS Monaco

US Orléans: Faham – Mouton, Baudry (Ba, 76′), Giraudon, Obiang (Luyambula, 64′) – Diaby, Khous©️, Sanchez (Berthier, 76′), Morel – El Khoumisti, Lallias (Bozkurt, 76′)

Substitutes: Jan, Lemaitre, Luyambula, Ba, Ribeiro, Bozkurt, Diako, Berthier, Kebe

Manager: Hervé Della Maggiore

AS Monaco: Köhn – Ouattara, Dier, Kehrer, C. Henrique – Zakaria ©️, Teze, Idumbo, Golovin – Biereth (Bamba, 77′), Balogun (Ilenikhena, 86′)

Substitutes: Lienard, Nibombe, Touré, Bamba, Brunner, Michal, Ilenikhena

Manager: Sébastien Pocognoli