Lacking a finishing touch, AS Monaco fall to Toulouse

It was a another result with a cruel scenario. Brought back into the game by Wissam Ben Yedder, who equalised only a few minutes after Toulouse’s first goal, the AS Monaco players tried everything and even hit the post twice. Unfortunately, on a counter, they would concede, losing 1-2 in the last match of the Ligue 1 Uber Eats season.

The context 📅

Having dropped into sixth place before this last match against TFC, the Rouge et Blanc were coming off two consecutive defeats and wanted to get back to winning ways in order to hope to finish in the top 5, and secure European qualification for next season. Les Violets had nothing to play for, assured of safety themselves.

The starting eleven 👥

To start this last match of the season, Philippe Clement decided to play a 4-2-3-1 with  Caio Henrique and Takumi Minamino bak in the eleven, with the right flank being the duo of Ruben Aguilar and  Vanderson, with Eliesse Ben Seghir playing behind the captain, Wissam Ben Yedder.

👥 Le 𝗫𝗜 𝗱𝗲 𝗱𝗲́𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 monégasque 🆚 @ToulouseFC

‣ #ASMTFC pic.twitter.com/VbmSFNemJD

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) June 3, 2023

The scenario 🎞

Watched by former AS Monaco players including Lucien Cossou or Andreas Zikos, all of whom took part in a ceremonial kick-off in the company of Ritchy Valme, captain of the  Gambardella-winning side, the Rouge et Blanc wanted to boss the game. They soon created a big chance through Wissam Ben Yedder in the first minute, but his lob went over the bar, but without regret as he was eventually found to be in an offside position.

Back we go ⏱️#ASMTFC pic.twitter.com/QFsfmroZS5

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) June 3, 2023

Two unbeatable goalkeepers

The team did well at the start of the match and continued to push, but efforts from Takumi Minamino (10′) and captain Wissam Ben Yedder (15′) also missed. The match was then played at a more even keel, and it took a fine display from Alexander Nübel to prevent Toulouse opening the scoring. On a corner he would keep out shots from Veljko Birmancevic and Loga Costa thanks to reflex saves with his feet (29′)

The  reply from Philippe Clement’s men took place less than ten minutes later, again through Wissam Ben Yedder. At the conclusion of a good chance, he saw his shot from the left being pushed away by Maxime Dupé at the near post (38′). The two sides both tried to take the lead before returning to the locker room but shots by Youssouf Fofana and Ado Onaiwu were both off-target.

Wissam scores for the 98th time

On the return from a half, marked by the lap of honor for the winners of the Coupe Gambardella, Alex Nübel once again showed himself to be imperious with a good reflex save on a shot from 18 meters by Birmancevic (55′). Then, a volley from the Monegasque number 10 would miss (56′). But as in recent last matches, success eluded AS Monaco and on a mix-up, Toulouse opened the scoring through Zacharia Aboukhlal (70′).

Not resigned by this goal, the Rouge et Blanc fought back and were rewarded eight minutes later. Maghnes Akliouche, barely on the pitch, crossed to the far post for Breel Embolo. His strike was saved by the Toulouse goalkeeper but Wissam Ben Yedder, on the lookout, equalized (78′) with his 98th goal in the colors of AS Monaco.

78' WISSAM FOR THE EQUALISER!!! 👊#ASMTFC (1-1) pic.twitter.com/wQgnqqHDje

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) June 3, 2023

Success eludes AS Monaco, who are caught on the counter

Reinvigorated by this goal, they would then come very close to going ahead but our number 21 unfortunately hit the post twice (80′, 83′). Finally, Edan Diop also lacked a finishing touch on a shot from the right which flirted with the post (90 + 1′).

Pouring forward to try to take the lead, they inevitably left space in behind and on a quick counter-attack, Rhys Healey beat Alexander Nübel (90 + 3′). It was therefore in terrible fashino that the match ended, with a 2-1 defeat for AS Monaco, who finished the league season in sixth place.

Full-time.#ASMTFC pic.twitter.com/WKdidYJzJX

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) June 3, 2023

Key moments 🎥

10′: Minamino’s effort flashes just wide
15′: An attempt from the is overhit by Ben Yedder
29′: A double save by Nübel against Birmancevic and Costa
38′: Dupé saves at the near post on a shot from Ben Yedder
43′: A long shot by Fofana flies over the bat
45′: Onaiwu’s shot goes past the frame of Nübel’s goal
46′: Nübel tips the ball over the bar on a deflected cross
55′: A reflex save by Nübel keeps out a shot from 18 meters from Birmancevic
56′: A volley by Ben Yedder goes wide
70′: A goal from close range is scored by Aboukhlal (0-1)
78′: An equaliser from Ben Yedder after he taps in a rebound (1-1)
80′: Akliouche hits the outside of the post
83′: Akliouche’s strike comes off the post
90+1′ A shot by Diop flirts with Dupé’s post
90 + 3′: Healey beats Nübel with a shot from the right (1-2)

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Match details 

Saturday June 3 – Stade Louis-II

Ligue 1 – Matchday 38: AS Monaco 1-2 Toulouse FC 

Halftime: 0-0

Goals: Ben Yedder (78′) for AS Monaco; Aboukhlal (70′) and Healey (90+3′) for Toulouse

Bookings: Aguilar (12′) for AS Monaco; Sierro (58′) for Toulouse

AS Monaco: Nübel – Aguilar, Disasi, Maripán, C.Henrique – Fofana, Camara – Vanderson (Akliouche, 77′), Ben Seghir (Embolo, 53′, Volland, 90′), Minamino (Diop, 53′) – Ben Yedder ©

Substitutes: Didillon, Matsima, Okou, Akliouche, Embolo, Diop, Magassa, Matazo, Volland

Manager: Philippe Clement

Toulouse FC: Dupé © – Rouault, Sierro (Van den Boomen, 60′),  Costa, Diarra – Kamanzi, Genreau, Suazo – Chaibi (Healey, 87′), Onaiwu (Ratao, 60′), Birmancevic (Aboukhlal, 60′)

Substitutes: Haug, Puggaard, Aradj, Van den Boomen, Aboukhlal, Healey, Rogerio, Dallinga

Manager: Philippe Montanier