Dominated by a clinical Stade Rennais, AS Monaco fall to the hosts

Another painful setback. Once again after a good start to the match, the AS Monaco players were ultimately unable to cope with the clinical finishing of Stade Rennais, who won after a very lively second half in Brittany (2-0) . ✍️

The context 📅

Neck and neck before this 37th matchday of Ligue 1, the Rouge et Blanc were facing a direct opponent for the European places in very good form, with two straight wins in the league with nine goals scored across those two matches.

The eleven 👥

To start this crucial match, Philippe Clement decides to play a 3-4-2-1 as he has during the last four Monegasque matches. Ruben Aguilar started on the right side of defence, while Mohamed Camara regained his place in midfield. Aleksandr Golovin and Eliesse Ben Seghir stared in support of their captain.

👥 Le 𝗫𝗜 𝗱𝗲 𝗱𝗲́𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 monégasque 🆚 @staderennais

‣ #SRFCASM pic.twitter.com/tZu2rW0kFB

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) May 27, 2023

The scenario 🎞

This big match, which took place in a jam-packed Roazhon Park, notably with a Rouge et Blanc away support celebrating the 10th anniversary of Munegu Da Viken, was off to a strong start! The Tsar found Vanderson very quickly but his header, was captured by Steve Mandanda (2′). Shortly thereafter, Alexander Nübel was had to do the same to keep out Karl Toko Ekambi… who was flagged offside (7′).

A flying start

The Monegasque goalkeeper also did well on a one-two from Rennes which ended with a hard shot from Benjamin Bourigeaud (8′), and then an attempt from Lovro Majer (9′). AS Monaco responded with a direct free kick from Axel Disasi which was blocked by the Breton wall (18′), and then a header from Eliesse Ben Seghir (20′), recently nominated for the UNFP’s best Young Player Award. The match continued blow for blow and on a cross from Majer, Jérémy Doku missed the target (28′).

9' : 🔥 Les occasions se multiplient déjà pour les Rouge et Noir, à l'image de ces tentatives de @BourigeaudB29 et de Lovro Majer stoppées par Nubel.#SRFCASM 0-0

— Stade Rennais F.C. (@staderennais) May 27, 2023

A big match from Alexander Nübel

The opening of the score then almost happened on a recovery by the Belgian winger, who showed plenty of energy (30′). Mohamed Camara then replied by taking a shot from 30 meters… which was blocked (35′)! There was no more success on a header by Axel Disasi on a good pass from Vanderson (41′). But it still took a great Alexander Nübel and a diving save to keep things level on a strong strike from Lovro Majer (45′).

Rennes break the Monaco resistance

Then in a bit of luck, on an effort by Arthur Theate which flew over the crossbar (45 + 1′). This repeated at the start of the second half, where Hamari Traoré impressed (50′). Unfortunately Rennes’ domination came to fruition on the opening of the score by the Croatian midfielder a cutback  from Benjamin Bourigeaud (1-0, 52′). This goal was a hammer blow to the Monegasques, who would go in search of an equalizer.

52' Ouverture du score du @staderennais.

1⃣-0⃣ #SRFCASM

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) May 27, 2023

Europe nevertheless remains in play

Philippe Clement then made a triple change to give new impetus to the Rouge et Blanc. But Stade Rennais continued to push, and on a new attack, Benjamin Bourigeaud played in Amine Gouiri who released a fine shot that nestled under the bar (2-0, 73′). Breel Embolo, who had just come on, tried to raise the stakes with a powerful shot, but Steve Mandanda cleared it off the line (82′)!

The score would remain there despite five minutes of added time. The Monegasques will now have to do everything in a week to win against Toulouse at the Stade Louis-II to hope to be playing in European competition next year.

Key moments 🎥

2′: Golovin crosses for Vanderson but the Brazilian’s header is captured by Mandanda
7′: Toko Ekambi goes toward goal and loses his one-on-one with Nübel
8′: Nübel saves after a one-two between Bourigeaud and Toko Ekambi
9′: Majer’s left-footed shot is deflected by the German goalkeeper
20′: A header by Ben Seghir is captured by Mandanda
28′: A cross from Majer is met by Doku who can’t get his effort on target
35′: Camara’s attempt from 30 meters is off-target
41′: Disasi’s header on cross from Vanderson  is off-target
45′: A magnificent diving save from Nübel on a powerful shot from Majer
46′: A volley by Theate flies wide
52′: Bourigeaud plays a cutback to Majer who slots the ball into the corner (1-0)
67′: A big save from Alexander Nübel on a powerful shot from Majer
73′: A cross from Bourigeaud to Gouiri who connects and shoots under the bar (2-0)
82′: A powerful strike from Embolo is deflected by Steve Mandanda

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Match details

Saturday, May 27 – Roazhon Park

Ligue 1 – Matchday 37: Stade Rennais 2-0 AS Monaco 

Halftime: 0-0

Goals: Majer (52′), Gouiri (73′) for Rennes

Bookings: Vanderson (11′), Maripán (55′), Embolo (80′) for AS Monaco

Stade Rennais: Mandanda (Alemdar, 90′) – Traoré © (Assignon, 84′), Omari, Theate, Belocian Meling (86′) – Bourigeaud, Santamaria, Majer (Ugochukwu, 87′) – Doku, Toko Ekambi (Kalimuendo, 84′), Gouiri

Substitutes: Alemdar, Rodon, Assignon, Meling, Ugochukwu, Tait, Doué, Kalimuendo, Salah

Manager: Bruno Génésio

AS Monaco: Nübel – Aguilar (C.Henrique, 80′), Disasi, Maripán – Vanderson, Fofana, Camara (Matazo, 63′), Jakobs – Ben Seghir (Volland, 63′), Golovin (Diatta, 72′) – Ben Yedder © (Embolo, 63′)

Substitutes: Didillon, C.Henrique, Matsima, Matazo, Minamino, Diatta, Diop, Embolo, Volland

Manager: Philippe Clement