AS Monaco make it three derbies from three in the Coupe de France

To face OGC Nice, Niko Kovac made several changes compared to the last match against Strasbourg. Krépin Diatta, Cesc Fàbregas and Stevan Jovetić started for theRouge et Blancwhile Adrian Ursea again counted on his in-form striker Amine Gouiri to lead the line.

The two sides took the measure of each other during the match's first minutes, without creating any danger in either area. Stevan Jovetić got the first chance from outside the box, but Walter Benitez did well to control his attempt (11'). Fodé Ballo-Touré got forward several times on the left flank and even had an instinctive effort find the net but the opposing goalkeeper eagerly claimed it (18th). Nice offered little in return, though, as theRouge et Blancdefense was well organized to start the match.

The Spanish international had a perfect first half, mixing technical accuracy and precise passing. Breaking intoLes Aiglons' area, he did well to pick out Kevin Volland on a cutback, and the German didn't hesitate to beat Walter Benitez, who had no chance against the striker's effort (1-0, 30').

This assist was just reward for a quality performance from the Spanish world champion. The only downside to these first 45 minutes was the exit of Aurélien Tchouameni, forced off for Eliot Matazo (35 ') after taking a knock to the ankle. When they got back from the locker room, though, the hosts evinced better intentions.

Alexis Claude-Maurice broke against the Monegasque defense, but his shot at the edge of the area only brushed Radoslaw Majecki's post (55'). Then Kasper Dolberg entered the match, in order to bring an additional offensive threat. The Dane also saw an effort touch the base of the left post of the Monegasque goalkeeper on a clever effort shortly after coming on (62nd).

Stevan Jovetić then responds to Nice's pressure by winning a free kick, but his shot only found the side netting (76th). The two sides continued to battle and created great opportunities. As the end of the match approached, theRouge et Blanccontinued their assaults on Walter Benitez's goal, the last line of defence forLes Aiglonsdoing well to make a superb save against the Montenegrin striker at close range (87').

 

But in staying with the play, Ruben Aguilar was pressing high and  picked up the ball 25 meters from goal. He continued forward and slotted home to double the Monegasques' lead (2-0, 87'). The breakthrough had come, and the score would stay 2-0 until the final whistle.

Thanks to this win, the team's third in a derby this season, which is a first since 2013-2014, Niko Kovac's men move on in the Coupe de France. They will face another top flight club, FC Metz, in the Round of 16. But before that, the Monegasques will return to action in Ligue 1 this Sunday afternoon against Lille at the Stade Louis-II (5 p.m. behind closed doors), for the big match of Round 29 in Ligue 1.

Coupe de France - Round of 32


OGC Nice 0-2 AS Monaco

Halftime: 0-1
Goals:  Volland (30'), Aguilar (87') for AS Monaco
Bookings:Saliba (75'), Nsoki (86') for Nice ; Majecki (62') for AS Monaco
OGC Nice:  Benitez - Daniliuc (Lotomba, 56'), Saliba ©, Todibo, Nsoki (Bambu, 89') - Maolida, Schneiderlin, Lees-Melou, Claude-Maurice, Kamara (Dolberg, 56') - Gouri
Manager: Adrian Ursea
AS Monaco :Majecki - Aguilar, Maripan (Badiashile, 46'), Disasi ©, Ballo-Touré (Caio Henrique, 80') - Diatta (Diop, 64'), Fofana, Tchouameni (Matazo, 35'), Fabregas (Golovin, 80') - Jovetić, Volland
Manager: Niko Kovac