Despite numerous chances in the first half, AS Monaco were defeated by Paris FC in the 29th matchday of Ligue 1 McDonald's (4-1). President Dmitry Rybolovlev was in attendance at the Stade Jean-Bouin. Recap ✍️
The context 📅
On a seven-game winning streak after their victory against Olympique de Marseille (2-1), the Rouge et Blanc were aiming for an eighth consecutive win at Paris FC to put pressure on their rivals for a top-three finish. This objective will be achievable if they "raise their level of play even further," as Sébastien Pocognoli stated in Wednesday's pre-match press conference.
We'll need to be prepared to deal with these kinds of situations away from home because it won't be an easy match. I'm not worried about a lapse in concentration, but we'll need to keep raising our level of play to continue this good run.
Sébastien Pocognoli, on the match against PFC
The XI 👥
To start this 29th matchday, Sébastien Pocognoli kept his 3-4-2-1 formation with the return of Ansu Fati to the starting eleven, playing alongside Mamadou Coulibaly in support of Folarin Balogun. Simon Adingra was positioned as a left wing-back, while Aladji Bamba would occupy midfield alongside Lamine Camara.
The scenario 🎞
In front of nearly 1,000 fans in the away end, the Rouge et Blanc were quickly caught off guard by Jonathan Ikoné (1-0, 4') and then Ciro Immobile (2-0, 7'). A third goal fell for PFC, but Lukáš Hrádecký made a superb save with his foot to deny Maxime Lopez (14'). After this difficult start, Monaco nearly pulled one back through Simon Adingra, but Kevin Trapp denied him (20').
Balogun sparks the comeback!
Unfortunately, the home side scores a third time through the first goalscorer of the evening (3-0, 21'). Despite conceding this goal, the players from the Principality club are much improved, and Folarin Balogun's kneed shot fizzed over the bar (34'). It was a first opportunity to find his rhythm, as he immediately reignites hope by winning his one-on-one against the Parisian goalkeeper (3-1, 36'), extending his streak to seven matches with at least one goal!
Several chances to come back
Monaco continued to press forward, but neither Aladji Bamba (40'), nor Mamadou Coulibaly (45'), nor Ansu Fati (45+2') could find a way through before halftime, while Lukáš Hrádecký made a point-blank save from Marshall Munetsi immediately after the restart (47'). The match then lost intensity, and the Monaco manager brought on Maghnes Akliouche and Paul Pogba in an attempt to inject some energy back into the game (69').
Get back to winning ways against Auxerre
Despite their attacking intent, they were caught out on the counter-attack, and Luca Koleosho, after shooting wide (71'), scored with a shot into the top corner that went in off the crossbar (4-1, 72'). AS Monaco thus had to concede defeat by the same scoreline, ending their impressive run of seven consecutive victories. They will now need to bounce back when they host AJ Auxerre at the Stade Louis-II (Sunday, 3 pm) to remain in contention for a Champions League spot.
Key moments 🎥
- 4': Ikoné meets a cross from Simon and opens the scoring (1-0)
- 8': Immobile doubles the lead with a shot under the bar (2-0)
- 14': Hrádecký makes a monstrous save with his foot from Lopez
- 20': Adingra's curling shot is pushed behind for a corner by Trapp
- 21': Ikoné is found at the far post and scores the third goal (3-0)
- 34': Balogun, found six yards out, shoots wide with his knee
- 36': Balogun pulls one back by winning his one-on-one (3-1)
- 40': Bamba's header is caught by Trapp from a Camara corner
- 45': Coulibaly's right-footed shot goes just over the bar
- 45+2': Fati is denied by Trapp at close range
- 47': Hrádecký makes a close-range save from Munetsi
- 71': Shot goes wide Koleosho
- 72': Koleosho fires a powerful shot under the bar (4-1)
🗓️ Match details:
Friday, April 10 2026 (19:00) - Stade Jean-Bouin
Ligue 1 McDonald’s - Matchday 29: Paris FC 4-1 AS Monaco
Halftime: 3-1
Goals: Ikoné (4', 21'), Immobile (7'), Koleosho (72') for Paris FC; Balogun (36') for AS Monaco
Bookings: Camara (59') for Paris FC
Paris FC: Trapp - Camara (Traoré, 65'), Coppola, Mbow, Sangui - Munetsi, Lees-Melou ©, Lopez (Matondo, 65') - Ikoné (Koleosho, 65'), Immobile (Gory, 75'), Simon (Geubbels, 87')
Substitutes: Nkambadio, Chergui, Otavio, Traoré, Kebbal, Matondo, Geubbels, Gory, Koleosho
Manager: Antoine Kombouaré
AS Monaco: Hrádecký - Kehrer (Pogba, 69'), Zakaria ©, Faes - Teze (Diatta, 46'), Camara (Mawissa, 46'), Bamba, Adingra - Fati (Biereth, 87'), Coulibaly (Akliouche, 69') - Balogun
Substitutes: Köhn, Dier, Mawissa, Akliouche, Cabral, Diatta, Idumbo, Pogba, Biereth
Manager: Sébastien Pocognoli
