They tried everything. Facing a well-organized and highly efficient LOSC, AS Monaco ultimately lost on Matchday 33 of Ligue 1 McDonald's (0-1). The match took place at the Stade Louis-II in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and President Dmitry Rybolovlev. Recap ✍️
The context 📅
It was the final home game of the season for the Rouge et Blanc, who were eager to rise to the occasion, as Thilo Kehrer explained in his press conference. It would be a significant challenge against a LOSC side they haven't fared well against, with only an 18% win rate in the top flight since the 2020-2021 season (2 wins, 4 draws, 5 losses). Nevertheless, the club from the Principality are unbeaten in their last 13 home league matches against LOSC (5 wins, 8 draws).
They're a team with a lot of individual talent, and collectively they have a stable system of play, but with quite a bit of freedom because they have creative players. It's going to be a good match; they had a good run and then a dip, like us, before bouncing back.
Sébastien Pocognoli
The XI 👥
To face the current fourth-placed team in the league, Sébastien Pocognoli opted for his usual 3-4-2-1 formation, with Simon Adingra and Aladji Bamba returning to the starting eleven. Monaco captain Denis Zakaria started in the center of the three-man defense, while Aleksandr Golovin was once again deployed on the left wing.
The scenario 🎞
The match kicked off in a high-stakes atmosphere, following a ceremonial kick-off given by legend Yaya Touré. The duels were fiercely contested in an opening period that, conversely, offered few clear-cut chances. It wasn't until the 15th minute that Bouaddi and Lukas Hrádecký had a one-on-one, with Hrádecký winning decisively. Moments later, Mr. Turpin looked to have awarded a penalty to the Northerners, but the decision was overturned by VAR.
Akliouche does well but goes unrewarded.
Monaco's first shot on target came after half an hour with a slightly weak volley from Maghnes Akliouche, easily caught by Özer (27'). The French international was involved again just before halftime after a powerful run, but his right-footed shot across goal grazed the right post (39'). It was a real shame, as the Lille goalkeeper was beaten, just as he was by Simon Adingra's sudden shot, which also went narrowly wide (44').
A triple change to inject some energy into the game
The two teams thus went into halftime with the score tied. After the break, LOSC were the first to press forward, with a long-range effort from Correia that also sailed over the bar (48'). The Rouge et Blanc struggled to break down the northern side's defense, forcing Sébastien Pocognoli to make a triple substitution, bringing on Wout Faes, Mamadou Coulibaly, and Ansu Fati (58'). Following this stoppage in play, Lukas Hrádecký was called into action to make a save from a Meunier half-volley (59').
Le coup du sort favorable au LOSC
Puis sur un départ en profondeur de Fernandez-Pardo, finalement signalé en position de hors-jeu (64e). L’AS Monaco tente de repartir vers l’avant, et sur une percée de Madou’ en relai avec l’ailier espagnol, le milieu formé à l’Academy bute sur Özer (64e). Rageant, d’autant que quelques minutes après, Thomas Meunier exploite une récupération haute et force Denis Zakaria à tacler dans son propre but (0-1).
The final minutes didn't change the course of the match, not even Mika Biereth's header that went wide of the Lille goal (90'). It was the last chance of the evening, which unfortunately saw AS Monaco lose. They will need to pick themselves up and win against Strasbourg next Sunday (9 pm) to have any hope of regaining sixth place.
Key moments 🎥
- 15': Bouaddi goes on a solo run but loses his one-on-one with Hradecký
- 17': Penalty awarded to Lille but ultimately overturned by VAR
- 27': Akliouche's volley is caught by Özer on the ground
- 39': A great run by Akliouche who sends a powerful, low shot across goal just wide of the post
- 44': A quickfire shot from Adingra goes just over
- 48': Correia's long-range effort goes well wide
- 59': Meunier's half-volley is caught by Hradecký
- 64': Fernandez-Pardo makes a run in behind but Hradecký intervenes
- 64': Coulibaly breaks through after a one-two with Fati, but Özer blocks the shot
- 72': Lille counter and where Zakaria scores an own goal while attempting a tackle (0-1)
- 83': Fernandez-Pardo's shot hits the side netting, but is ultimately ruled offside.
- 90' minute: Biereth's header is wide in the box.
🗓️ Match details:
Sunday, May 10 2026 (21:00) - Stade Louis-II
Ligue 1 McDonald’s - Matchday 33: AS Monaco 0-1 Lille
Halftime: 0-0
Goals: Zakaria (OG, 72') for Lille
Bookings: Coulibaly (79') for AS Monaco; Bouaddi (23'), Perrin (75') for Lille
AS Monaco: Hradecký - Kehrer (Biereth, 80'), Zakaria ©, Mawissa - Teze (Touré, 80'), Camara, Bamba (Coulibaly, 58'), Adingra (Faes, 58') - Akliouche, Golovin (Fati, 59') - Balogun
Substitutes: Köhn, Dier, Faes, Coulibaly, Diatta, Pogba, Touré, Biereth, Fati
Manager: Sébastien Pocognoli
Lille: Özer - Meunier, Ngoy, Mandi, Perraud (Verdonk, 90') - André, Bouaddi (Bentaleb, 46') - Mukau (Mbappé, 62'), Haraldsson (Alexsandro, 89'), Correia (Perrin, 71') - Fernandez-Pardo
Substitutes: Bodart, Alexsandro, Mbemba, Verdonk, Bentaleb, Mbappé, Sahraoui, Giroud, Perrin
Manager: Bruno Genesio
