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Preparation 29 July 2023, 00:49

AS Monaco snatch a win with character against Bologna

AS Monaco snatch a win with character against Bologna
At the end of a match where each team dominated a half of play, the Rouge et Blanc showed panache to win against a good team from Bologna. It was a third encouraging win in this preseason.

One period of domination each, but victory at the end! After a close match in which they were down 2-0, the AS Monaco players showed a lot of character to turn the game around and finally win against Bologna (2-3).

A classic 3-4-2-1 setup

For this fifth match of the preseason, coach Adi Hütter kept his side lined up in a 3-4-2-1. In a changed from the lineup against Leeds, Guillermo Maripánstarted in defence and Eliot Matazo came into the side in midfield, with Krépin Diatta playing on the right flank. The duo of Akliouche and Golovin played in support of Wissam Ben Yedder.

Bologna stand out from the off

With the new Third shirt on their shoulders, Caio Henrique was found in the first minute on the left flank, but his cross would not find a taker. Unfortunately Thiago Motta’s players opened the scoring shortly thereafter on a run by Antonio Raimondo on the left (1-0, 5′). The latter then was in again on the counter, but his shot went over the crossbar of Philipp Köhn (11′).

On the other hand, the Swiss goalkeeper could do nothing about a ball viciously struck by Lewis Ferguson (2-0, 13′). Bologna pushed hard and Marko Arnautovic even hit the post (18′). The Rouge et Blanc reacted well, though, and on a fine backheel, Youssouf Fofana almost gave his captain a ball that led to the opening goal (27′). There was, however, no more success on Krépin Diatta’s volley at the ensuing corner.

Again at a corner kick, this time it was Guillermo Maripán’s header that narrowly went past the post (34′). Then it was the free kick by Youssouf Fofana that was deflected by the wall which was off target (35′). Then, Aleksandr Golovin was picked out by Wissam Ben Yedder on a long ball, but the Tsar’s powerful shot was just over before the halftime break (43′).

A moment of genius from the Tsar!

The second half started with a phase of Monegasque possession, but it was Ferguson who had the half’s first shot that Philipp Köhn saved (51′). This was, of course, before our number 17 overhit an effort (52′). It was finally from his special, following a high recovery from Guillermo Maripán, that Golo’ would give AS Monaco hope (2-1, 54′). What a finish!

Golo’ doubles up!

Adi Hütter’s men dominated play and Maghnes Akliouche was even close to equalizing on a fine pass fromthe Wiss’ (64′). Sharper physically despite the changes for the Italians, the Monegasques pushed on, and on returning from a cooling break, Krépin Diatta saw a shot cleared off the line (73′). It was only a postponement, though since on a fine bit of skill by captain’ Wiss, the Tsar again showed his skill by scoring a double… on a curling shot (2-2, 75′)!

A win earned with character!

The Rouge et Blanc did not drop their pace, however, and on a final free kick close to the opposing area, won by Diatta, Caio Henrique put the ball onro the head of Guillermo Maripán who finished from close range (90′). AS Monaco thus snatched a third victory in a row against Bologna (2-3), in a very lively match.


📋 Match details:

Friday, July 28  – Centro Tecnico Niccolo Galli

Friendly: Bologna FC 2-3 AS Monaco

Halftime: 2-0

Goals: Raimondo (5′), Ferguson (13′) for Bologna; Golovin (54′ and 75′), Maripán (90′) for AS Monaco

Bologna: Skorupski – De Silvestri, Beukema, Lucumi, Sosa – Ferguson, Schouten, Dominguez, Pyyhtiä – Arnautovic, Raimondo

Substitutes: Bagnolini, Ravaglia, Bonifazi, Corazza, Stivanello, Moro, Lykogiannis, El Azzouzi, Aebischer, Urbanski, Mazia, Zirkzee

Manager: Thiago Motta

AS Monaco: Köhn – Matsima, Maripán, Okou – Diatta, Fofana, Matazo, C.Henrique – Akliouche, Golovin (Efekele, 80′) – Ben Yedder ©

Substitutes: Lienard, Babaï, Bery, Coulibaly, Efekele

Manager: Adi Hütter