Determined but unlucky, AS Monaco narrowly beaten in Lorient

Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, les Rouge et Blanc eventually fell to a narrow defeat at the Stade du Moustoir after conceding a penalty just past the hour mark (1-0).

Published on 18/10/2026 at 20:53

Reading time: 8 min.

They were simply out of luck. Despite enjoying more possession and registering more shots, AS Monaco were beaten against the run of play away to Lorient after conceding a penalty just past the hour mark (1-0). Nevertheless, they remain joint-top of the table. Match report ✍️

The context 📅

Having beaten CSKA Sofia (1-2) on Thursday in their opening Conference League fixture, les Rouge et Blanc were looking to build on that result and strengthen their position at the top of the league with a win away to Lorient. However, caution was required, as the Merlus had beaten the Club from the Principality twice last season and earned 60% of their points against teams in the top half of the table.

Read also AS Monaco make winning start to UEFA Conference League campaign with victory in Sofia

We can see how they build their play; they are a very interesting team. It shows the level of the league, where it is difficult to beat any opponent. We therefore expect a very, very difficult match, one that will require a top performance and maximum concentration if we want to win there, which will be very challenging.

Filipe Luís

The line-up 👥

For kick-off, head coach Filipe Luís made five changes to the side that started in Bulgaria, bringing Vanderson, Flávio Nazinho, Denis Zakaria, Aleksandr Golovin and Matthis Abline back into the starting XI. Meanwhile, Ansu Fati, Takumi Minamino and Mohammed Salisu made their second consecutive start after several months out.

How the match unfolded 🎞️

In a sold-out Stade du Moustoir, with nearly 200 AS Monaco supporters in the away end, the game took time to spark into life as the two sides sized each other up. Les Rouge et Blanc nevertheless enjoyed the ball and created two half-chances: a header from Ansu Fati that went over (9') and a long-range effort from Matthis Abline, also off target (21'). The hosts then responded, and Denis Zakaria had to be alert to block attempts from Gabin Bernardeau (29') and Ibrahima Baldé (31') inside the box.

Read also Ansu Fati: "When I’m on the pitch, I give everything for the team"

Golo comes close to opening the scoring 🤏

Despite those two attacking moves from the hosts, Monaco continued to control the game and threatened again through their number 11, whose header sailed over the bar (34'). Their best chance of the half then fell to Aleksandr Golovin, whose curling effort from 25 metres narrowly missed the target (37'). It was therefore no surprise that the first half ended goalless, with neither side managing a shot on target.

Monaco caught out by a penalty 😭

Straight after the restart, AS Monaco threatened through a header on target from Matthis Abline, which was saved by Yvon Mvogo following a blocked effort from Lamine Camara (46'). Unfortunately, they were caught out just past the hour mark following an innocuous passage of play, conceding a penalty that Noah Cadiou converted (1-0, 61'). In a bid to get back into the game, Filipe Luís made three substitutions, including bringing on Folarin Balogun (66'). The American's lay-off for Aleksandr Golovin was just a little too long (68').

Looking to bounce back in Europe 🇪🇺

The American forward then went close again, meeting a cross from Edan Diop with a header, but the Lorient goalkeeper saved it (79'). Monaco continued to push for an equaliser but came close to falling further behind when Dembo Sylla struck the post (83'). In the same passage of play, Lukas Hradecký made a close-range save to deny Arsène Kouassi, before Mamadou Koné fired over (83'). Moments later, Folarin Balogun's effort after a neat combination on the edge of the box also sailed over (91').

That proved to be the final chance of the match, as AS Monaco suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in Lorient and their first loss of the season. They will now look to bounce back in the Conference League this Thursday at 9 p.m., when they host Freiburg.

Read also Who are AS Monaco’s opponents in the Conference League regular phase?

Highlights 🎥

9': Vanderson plays a long ball to Fati, whose header goes over.
21': Abline's long-range effort sails over.
29': Zakaria blocks Bernardeau's volley, which goes wide.
31': Zakaria gets back well to deal with Baldé's attempt.
34': Abline heads Minamino's cross over the bar.
37': Golovin's curling right-footed effort narrowly misses Mvogo's post.
46': Camara's shot is blocked before Mvogo saves Abline's header.
61': Cadiou converts a penalty won by Sylla (1-0).
79': Balogun meets Diop's cross with a header, but Mvogo saves.
83': Sylla hits the post, Hradecký then denies Kouassi at close range, and Koné shoots over.
91': Balogun's effort after a neat combination goes over.

🗓️ Match details

Sunday, 18 October 2026 (5:15 p.m.) – Stade du Moustoir

Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Matchday 7: FC Lorient 1-0 AS Monaco

Half-time: 0-0

Goals: Cadiou (61', pen.) for Lorient

Yellow cards: Cadiou (66'), Kouassi (76') for Lorient; Salisu (57'), Zakaria (60'), Nazinho (60'), Mawissa (80') for AS Monaco

Lorient: Mvogo – Adjei, Talbi (c), Touré – Sylla, Cadiou, Avom, Kouassi – Makengo, Bernardeau (Faye, 78'), Baldé (Koné, 71')

Substitutes: Kamara, Georgen, Kuzmic, Obaretin, Faye, Le Bris, Katseris, Koné, Tozin

Head coach: Alexandre Dujeux

AS Monaco: Hradecký – Vanderson, Sané, Salisu (Mawissa, 66'), Nazinho – Camara, Zakaria (c) (Detourbet, 66') – Minamino (Diop, 52'), Fati (Balogun, 66'), Golovin – Abline (Biereth, 74')

Substitutes: Köhn, Mawissa, Teze, Cabral, Coulibaly, Diop, Balogun, Biereth, Detourbet

Head coach: Filipe Luís