Professional in this first leg, AS Monaco take the advantage against Górnik Zabrze

First leg secured. Despite an extremely difficult pitch and an opponent further along in their physical preparation, the AS Monaco players showed great professionalism to win away at Górnik Zabrze in the first leg of their Conference League play-off (2-3). They will now need to finish the job in the return leg to secure qualification. Match report ✍️

The context 📅

After a month and a half of pre-season, the AS Monaco players officially kicked off their campaign with the first leg of the Conference League play-off against Górnik Zabrze. Determined to take the advantage ahead of the return leg a week later, the Rouge et Blanc could rely on a favorable historical record, having never lost to a Polish club in their history.

The starting XI 👥

For his first official starting XI, Filipe Luís stuck with the 4-4-2 formation predominantly seen in pre-season, featuring a strike partnership of Mika Biereth and Paris Brunner. Stanis Idumbo and Mathys Detourbet operated on the wings, while Sadibou Sané also made his AS Monaco debut at centre-back alongside Eric Dier.

The action 🎞

The first leg kicked off in a great atmosphere inside a packed stadium. It was an environment the Rouge et Blanc quickly adapted to, as following a counter-attack, Mathys Detourbet perfectly set up Mika Biereth, who opened the scoring with a first-time finish to get off the mark for the season (0-1, 9'). Notably, this was also the first assist for the young winger, who arrived this summer.

Chances created despite a difficult pitch 🥔

On a tricky surface, it then proved difficult to inject pace and execute technical moves, as seen when Paris Brunner saw his shot sail over the bar after an awkward bounce (30'). For their part, the Polish side resorted to long-range efforts from Josema and Maksym Khlan, which were comfortably saved by Lukáš Hrádecký (34', 40'), while Peter Federico's curling strike went over (44'). The Rouge et Blanc looked dangerous from corners, but Eric Dier's header was blocked in front of the goal line just before the break (45+1').

Three goals in just seven minutes 🥵

Immediately after the restart, the Monegasques dominated possession, and following a long spell of keep-ball, Lamine Camara unleashed an absolute rocket into the back of the net (0-2, 51')! There was barely time to celebrate this screamer, however, before Erik Prekop reduced the deficit from near the penalty spot (1-2, 53'). The game then turned frantic as Paris Brunner headed home a pinpoint cross from Stanis Idumbo to restore a two-goal cushion (1-3, 58'), confirming his excellent pre-season form which yielded five goals.

Pushing to extend the lead once more 🤏

Filipe Luís' men tried to hold onto their advantage but were unfortunately caught out by a slightly deflected strike from Sondre Liseth (2-3, 74'). Shortly after, Flávio Nazinho made his official debut for the Rouge et Blanc (81'). But it was Anis Soubeir, who had also come on earlier, who sent a shiver through the stadium with a magnificent free-kick parried away by Schulze (86'), before Eric Dier hit the post with a header from the resulting corner (86').

Now to seal qualification at the Stade Louis-II 🤞

They were close to restoring their two-goal cushion, and came close again when a strike from the young German forward flashed just wide of the target (92'). Regardless, AS Monaco got the job done in a challenging environment in Poland and have taken the advantage in this Conference League play-off. They will now need to secure qualification at the Stade Louis-II next Thursday (6:45 PM). But before then, it's time for the start of the league campaign with a trip to Le Havre on Sunday (5:15 PM). DAGHE MUNEGU !!! 🇲🇨

Match highlights 🎥

1. 9': Biereth opens the scoring following a counter-attack, well assisted by Detourbet (0-1)
2. 30': Brunner fires over following a neat piece of skill
3. 34': Hrádecký comfortably saves an effort from Josema
4. 40': Hrádecký dives to his right to parry a long-range strike from Khlan
5. 44': Federico's curling shot shaves the crossbar
6. 45+1': Dier sees his header blocked on the goal line
7. 51': A long-range rocket from Camara doubles the lead (0-2)
8. 53': Prekop is found near the penalty spot and reduces the deficit (1-2)
9. 58': Brunner meets Idumbo's cross and scores with a header (1-3)
10. 72': Sacek's downward header is saved by an alert Hrádecký
11. 74': Liseth beats Hrádecký with a slightly deflected shot (2-3)
12. 86': A magnificent free-kick from Soubeir is tipped out for a corner by Schulze
13. 86': Dier hits the post with a header from inside the six-yard box
14. 92': A flashed strike from Brunner goes agonizingly wide of the post

Key stat 📊

Lamine Camara has now scored six goals for AS Monaco across all competitions, half of which have come from outside the box (3/6). He had the most touches of the ball of any player in this match (81) while also making the most ball recoveries (8).

🗓️ Match details:

Thursday, August 20, 2026 (8:00 PM) - Arena Zabrze

Conference League - Play-off first leg: Górnik Zabrze 2-3 AS Monaco

Half-time: 0-1

Goals: Prekop (53') for Górnik Zabrze; Biereth (9'), Camara (51'), Brunner (58') for AS Monaco

Bookings: Dietz (70'), Janza (94') for Górnik Zabrze; Detourbet (38'), Soubeir (61') for AS Monaco

Górnik Zabrze: Schulze - Sacek, Janicki, Josema, Janza © - Dietz, Sadilek (Urbanski, 66'), Paulo Bernardo (Antiste, 81') - Peter (Durdov, 75'), Prekop (Liseth, 66'), Khlan

Substitutes: Kania, Loska, Bochniewicz, Warczak, Zmrzly, Kubicki, Urbanski, Antiste, Durdov, Ikia Dimi, Liseth

Manager: Michal Gasparik

AS Monaco: Hrádecký - Vanderson (Teze, 55'), Sané, Dier, Mawissa (Nazinho, 80') - Detourbet (Soubeir, 55'), Camara, Zakaria © (Benzahra, 89'), Idumbo - Brunner, Biereth (Konaté, 81')

Substitutes: Köhn, Lienard, Kehrer, Nazinho, Nibombé, Teze, Assab, Benzahra, Cabral, Soubeir, Touré, Konaté

Manager: Filipe Luís