AS Monaco fall to a clinical FC Lorient

Generally dominant throughout the match, AS Monaco’s players ultimately suffered a frustrating defeat against Lorient (1-3) in the opening match of the 18th round of Ligue 1 McDonald’s. The match was attended by H.S.H. Prince Albert II and President Dmitry Rybolovlev.. ✍️

Le context 📅

The Rouge et Blanc thus approached this match with the objective of trying to get back to winning ways in the league and at the Stade Louis-II. Opposing them, Lorient arrives with confidence, having gone six matches without defeat in the top flight (2 wins, 4 draws), in addition to having won… the reverse fixture in Brittany (3-1).

The XI 👥

To kick off this Ligue 1 matchday 18 fixture, coach Sébastien Pocognoli must once again contend with numerous absences. It made an opportunity for Wout Faes, the team’s first winter signing, to make his first start for AS Monaco, starting alongside Eric Dier in central defence. As for the rest of the eleven, it was the same as it had been against Orléans in the Coupe de France, with the exception of a return for Maghnes Akliouche.

The scenario 🎞

The match started well for Monaco, who created the first chances through Folarin Balogun on the turn (2′) and then with his head (7′), before Mika Biereth tried his luck (12′). Initially more hesitant, Lorient then made their presence felt with Pagis, whose curling shot narrowly missed the post (10′), followed by a cross-cum-shot (20′). The Breton winger then unleashed a shot from 25 meters, but the ball only grazed the crossbar (27′).

A goal refused for offside

The match then lost intensity, until a shot straight down the middle by Dieng was well blocked by Philipp Köhn (35′). But a shiver ran through the Stade Louis-II shortly afterward until the Lorient striker saw his goal disallowed for offside by a teammate (38′). The former Marseille player then missed a final opportunity with a volley from a free-kick (44′). The half-time whistle blew with the score level, a logical reflection of the game so far.

But de Lorient, annulé pour hors-jeu.

38’ |0️⃣-0️⃣#ASMFCL

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 16, 2026

Lorient score against the run of play

The battled resumed in a pouring rain, with Maghnes Akliouche driving his side forward with a powerful shot that Mvogo managed to dive to save (56′). The French international then followed up with a nice move, a dribble and shot that didn’t trouble the Swiss goalkeeper (58′), and then a deflected shot that flew just over the crossbar (63′). Unfortunately, this dominance wasn’t converted into goals, and Lorient took advantage to open the scoring through Dieng (0-1, 68′).

Hope from Ansu Fati

Fortunately, doubt didn’t really have time to set in among the Rouge et Blanc, who equalized through the substitute Ansu Fati at the second time of asking, from a pass by Balogun (1-1, 76′)! This was the Spanish winger’s sixth goal in Ligue 1.

🔥 𝗟𝗔 𝗥𝗘́𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗧𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗘́𝗚𝗔𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗘 !

Ansu Fati au bon endroit, au bon moment pour égaliser !#ASMFCL pic.twitter.com/LgapTAMTQ0

— L1+ (@ligue1plus) January 16, 2026

But here too, the Bretons reacted quickly, and Makengo restored Lorient’s lead (1-2, 85′), before Karim sealed the victory for the visitors with a third goal (1-3, 87th’). It was all over; AS Monaco suffered a home defeat in the opening match of the second half of the season and will have to bounce back in four days in the Champions League against Real Madrid (21:00).

Key moments

2′: Balogun’s shot on the turn is saved by Mvogo
7′: Ouattara’s cross for Balogun’s header is caught by Mvogo
10′: Pagis’ curling shot goes just wide of the post
12′: Ouattara’s cross for Biereth’s header goes just wide
16′: Golovin’s powerful shot is saved by Mvogo
20′: Pagis’ cross-shot goes wide
27′ Pagis shoots from the center and narrowly misses the top corner
35′: Dieng’s shot from the center is blocked by Köhn
38′: Pagis crosses for Dieng, whose goal is disallowed for offside
44′: Pagis’ free-kick finds Dieng, but his shot goes wide
56′: Akliouche’s powerful shot from the edge of the box is caught by Mvogo
58′: Akliouche’s quick dribble and powerful shot is kept out
61′: Cadiou’s quickfire shot goes wide
63′: Akliouche’s deflection goes just over the bar
68′: Dieng breaks through and opens the scoring (0-1)
76′: Balogun sets up Fati, who scores from a rebound (1-1)
85′: Makengo’s shot is deflected by Dier (1-2)
87′: Karim’s curling shot hits the post and goes in (1-3)

🗓️ Match details:

Friday January 16 2026 (19:00) – Stade Louis-II

Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Matchday 18: AS Monaco 1-3 FC Lorient

Halfitme: 0-0

Goals: Fati (76′) for AS Monaco; Dieng (68′), Makengo (85′) and Karim (87′) for Lorient

Bookings: Zakaria (70′) for AS Monaco

AS Monaco: Köhn – Ouattara (Vanderson, 69′), Dier, Faes, C.Henrique – Akliouche, Zakaria ©, Teze (Fati, 69′), Golovin – Biereth (Ilenikhena, 62′), Balogun

Substitutes: Lienard, Stawiecki, Nibombé, Vanderson, Bamba, Touré, Brunner, Fati, Ilenikhena

Manager: Sébastien Pocognoli

FC Lorient: Mvogo – Meïté, Talbi, Silva (Adjei, 91′) – Le Bris (Mvuka, 91′), Cadiou (Bley, 95′), Abergel ©, Kouassi – Makengo, Dieng (Bamba, 75′), Pagis (Karim, 75′)

Substitutes: Kamara, Adjei, Leaudais, Bley, Fadiga, Karim, Mvuka, Bamba, Baldoni

Manager: Olivier Pantaloni