A hero in added time, Takumi Minamino is your MVP in Lens!
He was elected MVP almost unanimously. Collecting more than 89% of the votes on the AS Monaco App, Takumi Minamino was therefore seen as the player of the match by the Monegasque supporters after a hard-fought win in Lens (2-3). It must be said that it was difficult to see otherwise after the performance achieved by a player who started in a hybrid role on the right. It was an unprecedented position which led to him being nicknamed Cafu by Aleksandr Golovin after the match.
🎙 "𝑁𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑑𝑒́𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑣𝑒𝑎𝑢 𝐶𝑎𝑓𝑢"
Golovin en admiration devant la performance de son coéquipier @takumina0116 👏
2⃣-3⃣ #RCLASM pic.twitter.com/YkY7t0IEMp
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) February 25, 2024
All over the field
Racking up the miles from start to finish, he was indeed simply everywhere. Whether in defense where he notably made three recoveries and won four of his duels, but also and above all in attack where number 18 brought danger, like a shot blocked by the opposing defense in the tenth minute.
It was a first chance then before proving decisive twenty minutes later, when he was on the lookout after a shot from Wissam Ben Yedder. His cross in front of goal was in fact put into his own goal by Brice Samba to make it 2-0 in favor of AS Monaco (30′).
Finding the top corner
Pegged back by a tough Lensois, our Rouge et Blanc would then rely on the Japanese international, who would win a penalty after a bad tackle by thehosts’ goalkeeper (79th). Even if it was not converted, he would continue to repeat his efforts until the end.
We then were in the second minute of added time when he was found on the right by Wilfried Singo. Entering the penalty area, Taki’ finds himself facing Facundo Medina whom he turned, before finding shooting with his left foot. Without hesitation, he sent a powerful shot which lodged itself into the top corner, offering victory to his team.
La doublette @Locampos15 & @DirarN aux commentaires du but magnifique de @takumina0116 😂🔥
‣ #RCLASM pic.twitter.com/mBf8h3tEAy
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) February 26, 2024
MVP for the fourth time
A goalscorer for the sixth time in the league, he has now become Monaco’s second top scorer of the season, level with Aleksandr Golovin behind Captain’ Wiss, and his 11 goals. Elected MVP, this is the fourth time he has been so honored after Strasbourg, Nantes and Paris, finishin well ahead of Radoslaw Majecki, who made eight saves (3,5%), and Golo’ (2,8%). Bravo Taki’ ! 👏
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🏆 MVP 2023-2024 Recap
Second half:
- Coupe de France – Round of 64: RC Lens 2-2 (5-6 penalties) AS Monaco: Radoslaw Majecki (1)
- Ligue 1 – Matchday 18: AS Monaco 1-3 Stade de Reims: Wissam Ben Yedder (3)
- Coupe de France – Round of 32: Rodez AF 1-3 AS Monaco: Wissam Ben Yedder (4)
- Ligue 1 – Matchday 19: Olympique de Marseille 2-2 AS Monaco: Wissam Ben Yedder (5)
- Ligue 1 – Matchday 20: AS Monaco 1-1 Le Havre: Wissam Ben Yedder (6)
- Coupe de France – Round of 16: FC Rouen 1-1 (6 TAB 5) AS Monaco: Aleksandr Golovin (8)
- Ligue 1 – Matchday 21: OGC Nice 2-3 AS Monaco: Denis Zakaria (1)
- Ligue 1 – Matchday 22: AS Monaco 1-2 Toulouse: Maghnes Akliouche (2)
- Ligue 1 – Matchday 23: RC Lens 2-3 AS Monaco: Takumi Minamino (4)
