A draw to extend their unbeaten home run. Facing a very compact AJ Auxerre side, AS Monaco were forced to share the points in the 30th round of Ligue 1 McDonald's (2-2), marking the 50th anniversary of the Academy. The result was achieved at the Stade Louis-II in the presence of President Dmitry Rybolovlev.
The context 📅
The Rouge et Blanc approached this duel against Auxerre with the desire to erase the memory of their setback against Paris FC and secure a sixth consecutive home victory. Especially since the occasion is particularly significant, as this match coincided with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Academy. It is up to them to show the same determination they displayed at the Stade Abbé Deschamps, where Monaco triumphed in both the first leg and the Round of 32 of the Coupe de France by the same scoreline (2-1).
They have lost very few matches in the last two months (2 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses during this period). It will be a difficult match against a team with a lot of individual quality, an aggressive style off the ball, and speed like Paris FC.
Sébastien Pocognoli
The XI 👥
To start this match, coach Sébastien Pocognoli decided to stick with his 3-4-2-1 formation, with Aladji Bamba starting in midfield in the absence of the suspended Lamine Camara. He was joined by Jordan Teze, who shifted into central midfield, making way for Krépin Diatta on the right wing, while Ansu Fati started on the left wing.
The scenario 🎞
Following the ceremonial kick-off, symbolically performed by three players developed at the club – Jean-Luc Ettori, Bruno Bellone, and Abdel Bakayoko, the current youngest member of La Diagonale – the match began under a bright sun. Unfortunately, it was Auxerre who struck first, opening the scoring with a fine volley from Kevin Danois from a corner (0-1, 11'). Monaco responded immediately, but Folarin Balogun's shot was saved by Léon (13').
Auxerre manage to double the lead
But the Burgundians, fighting for their survival in the top flight, initially pressed forward through Oppegard, who lost his one-on-one with Lukáš Hrádecký (21'). Hrádecký, however, would be beaten by Sinayoko's sudden shot from the edge of the box (0-2, 33'). It was a tough blow for the Rouge et Blanc, who tried to get back on the front foot, but neither Jordan Teze (35') from distance, nor Denis Zakaria with a header (37'), managed to reduce the deficit before halftime.
Inspiration from Teze, and a fine save by Léon
At halftime, the Monaco coach decided to bring on Simon Adingra to inject some dynamism into the attack. At the start of the half, both sides launched numerous attempts, but neither Sinayoko (46') nor Diomandé (47') for Auxerre, nor Zakaria (53') nor Fati (35') for Monaco, could find the net. The clearest chance would fall to Jordan Teze, who unleashed a magnificent curling shot that Léon tipped over the bar (52').
Three minutes that change the match!
This thrilling moment reinvigorated the Rouge et Blanc, who were rewarded almost immediately with a quickfire strike from Ansu Fati outside the box that nestled into the side netting (1-2, 56')! The Spanish winger's ninth top-flight goal of the season completely revitalized the match. And just three minutes later, Folarin Balogun won and converted a penalty to equalize (2-2, 59'), scoring his 12th Ligue 1 goal of the season, and for the eighth match in a row!
A crazy end to the match, but no further goals.
The Stade Louis-II crowd believed again, and the American even thought he had scored a second goal, but it was ultimately disallowed for offside (65'). Meanwhile, Lukáš Hrádecký made saves from timid attempts by Senaya (63') and Sinayoko (68'), but Maghnes Akliouche came closest to setting up Krépin Diatta for a 3-2 lead (79'). The atmosphere became increasingly tense at the foot of the Rock, but AS Monaco were forced to settle for a draw after added time (2-2).
They will need to go for the win next weekend in Toulouse (Saturday, 9:05pm) to hope to stay in the race for the Champions League.
Key moments 🎥
- 11': Danois volleys home from a corner to open the scoring (0-1)
- 13': Balogun's low shot is saved by Léon
- 21': Hradecký wins a one-on-one against Oppegard
- 33': Sinayoko fires in a quick shot from the edge of the box to double the lead (0-2)
- 35': Teze's long-range effort goes wide
- 37': Zakaria's header from a corner is saved at the second attempt by Léon
- 45+2': Okoh's header from a corner goes over the bar
- 46': Sinayoko's powerful shot is deflected for a corner
- 47': Diomandé's shot from a short corner is saved by Hradecký
- 48': Zakaria's powerful shot is deflected for a corner
- 52': Teze's curling shot is tipped over the bar by Léon
- 52': Half-volley Fati's corner kick sails high
- 56': Fati's quick shot from the edge of the area reduces the deficit (1-2)
- 59': Balogun wins a penalty and converts it (2-2)
- 63': Senaya's attempt is saved by Hradecký
- 65': Balogun's goal is disallowed for offside
- 68t': Sinayoko's low shot is caught by Hradecký
- 79': Akliouche's powerful cross finds Diatta, whose header goes over the bar
The stat’ 📊
Folarin Balogun has scored in each of his last eight Ligue 1 games with AS Monaco, becoming the fifth player to achieve this feat in the top flight in the 21st century, after Sonny Anderson with Lyon in 2001 (11), Shabani Nonda with Monaco in 2003 (8), Rony Lopes with Monaco in 2018 (8) and Moussa Dembélé with Lyon in 2022 (8).
🗓️ Match details:
Sunday, April 19 2026 (15:00) - Stade Louis-II
Ligue 1 McDonald’s - Matchday 30: AS Monaco 2-2 AJ Auxerre
Halftime: 0-2
Goals: Fati (56'), Balogun (59') for AS Monaco; Danois (11'), Sinayoko (33') for Auxerre
Bookings: Akliouche (7'), Zakaria (59') for AS Monaco; Sinayoko (73'), Sy (83'), Mensah (95') for Auxerre
AS Monaco: Hradecký - Kehrer, Zakaria ©, Faes - Diatta, Teze (Coulibaly, 77'), Bamba (Adingra, 46'), Mawissa - Akliouche, Fati (Golovin, 77') - Balogun
Substitutes: Köhn, Dier, Cabral, Coulibaly, Golovin, Pogba, Touré, Adingra, Biereth
Manager: Sébastien Pocognoli
Auxerre: Léon (De Percin, 72') - Senaya (Sy, 68'), Diomandé, Okoh, Mensah - Owusu ©, Danois - Faivre, Namaso (Ahamada, 68'), Oppegard (Casimir, 54') - Sinayoko
Substitutes: De Percin, Sierralta, Sy, Ahamada, Dioussé, Casimir, Mara, Cissokho
Manager: Christophe Pélissier
