Why AS Monaco is the best team in the air in Ligue 1
Denis “Air” Zakaria strikes again! This Sunday, the stakes were high in the Côte d’Azur Derby between AS Monaco and OGC Nice at the Allianz Riviera. And thanks in particular to a masterclass from the Monegasque number 6, scorer of a double and logically named MVP of the, the men of Adi Hütter picked up an important victory (2-3).
Two strikes for the price of one 💎
But this win, which also allowed the Principality club to return to the podium at the same time, could never have seen the light of day without Denis Zakaria. First the scorer of a powerful strike into Marcin Bulka’s top corner to open the scoring (16′), the Swiss international would then be precise in the air. At the end of a play that he started himself, Zak’ would place an unstoppable header into the opposite corner, thanks to a fine pass from Takumi Minamino (50′).
Quel coup de casque 💥🪖@Deniszakaria8 🫶
2⃣-3⃣ #OGCNASM pic.twitter.com/QptDeFjGSU
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) February 11, 2024
Zakaria, Mister 66% 🪖
It was his third goal with La Diagonale on his shoulders, and already the second with a header against Brest! However, the coach gently criticized him at the time in a press conference, arguing that it was not his strong point. Denis therefore twisted the truth of this legend, and confirmed that this is an area in which AS Monaco perform well. And for good reason, in an article published on the Ligue 1 website, Opta offered up the data to prove it.
Best in Ligue 1 in this area 🥇
Against Les Aiglons, the Monegasque midfielder scored the eighth headed goal by the Rouge et Blanc this season in the league, the best current total ahead of Lille and Toulouse (7). Last season, the Principality club occupied second place in this ranking with 12 goals in the air (behind Brest, 14). So it’s nothing new, and it’s even a little bit of a tradition.
High quality in the air 🎯
Indeed, the statistics specialist reveals to us that over the last ten years (since 2014), no Ligue 1 team has had more goals scored in the area (109). This can be explained in particular by the quality of Monegasque set pieces. This was the case on goals scored by Wilfried Singo and Guillermo Maripán in the beginning of the season against Lens on fine passes from Caio Henrique in a 3-0 win.
Quoi de mieux que le premier but de Wilfried Singo sous le maillot de l'AS Monaco pour commencer la semaine ? 😋#MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/PplHNpnC1y
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) September 4, 2023
And precise crosses! 📏
Or on Denis Zakaria’s first goal in Rouge et Blanc against Brest. But this skill in the air also finds its essence in the precision of the crosses being delivered, as five have come in this way (Minamino against Strasbourg and Nantes; Ben Yedder against Reims twice; Zakaria against Nice). As a result, three members of the squad already have two headed goals: Ben Yedder, Minamino and Zakaria.
Une galette d'Izo pour le 1⃣5⃣0⃣e but en @Ligue1UberEats de @WissBenYedder 🔝
‣ #SDRASM pic.twitter.com/GhGIqgDZUh
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) October 9, 2023
This specialty has become a strength, further justifying the team’s having the league’s second-best attack behind that of Paris Saint-Germain, with already 40 goals from 21 round. There remains progress be made in this area, but in the defensive phase this time, as Adi Hütter said recently to the press. Next step! 🪖
