An unprecedented clash on the horizon. Having once again qualified for the Champions League playoffs, AS Monaco have been drawn against PSG. Although they have never faced PSG in continental competition, the Red and Whites have previously taken on another French club in Europe - Olympique de Marseille. We take a look back at that two-legged tie, which took place during the 1998–1999 UEFA Cup.Flashback. 🔙

A tense first leg 🥊

Reaching the round-of-16 after progressing past Polish side LKS Łódź (3-1) and Austrian outfit Grazer AK (7-3), the Red and Whites were handed a meeting with OM. The first leg took place at the Stade Louis-II at the end of November that year, barely three weeks after a league meeting at the Vélodrome (a 1–0 defeat).

Trezeguet responds to Pirès opener

Keen to exact revenge, Jean Tigana’s men started brightly, with Philippe Léonard forcing Stéphane Porato into a fine save from a free kick (3'). Unfortunately, from their very first real opportunity, the visitors opened the scoring through Robert Pirès (0–1, 9'). The response came almost immediately, courtesy of David Trezeguet from the penalty spot after a foul on  Victor Ikpeba (1-1, 18'). Monaco dominated, and the Nigerian striker saw an effort narrowly miss the post on the half hour mark (32').

An open and feist first leg

However, the Phocéens regained the lead moments later through Aboubacar Camara (1–2, 39'). AS Monaco once again fought back, this time with Ludovic Giuly netting at the near post (2–2, 56'). No further goals were scored in this tense encounter, in which the referee handed out 12 cards, including reds for Florian Maurice (63') and Franck Dumas (69'). Everything was still to play for in the return leg.

Match report:

UEFA Cup 1998-1999 – round-of-16
AS Monaco 2-2 Olympique Marseille
Half time:1-1
Goals:Trezeguet (17'), Giuly (56') for AS Monaco; Pirès (9'), Camara (39') for Olympique Marseille
Yellow cards:Djetou (33'), Dumas (37', 69'), Sagnol (45'), Giuly (87') for AS Monaco; Maurice (6', 63'), Blondeau (47'), Blanc (63'), Camara (69'), Colleter (90'), Bravo (95e) for L'OM
Red cards:Dumas (69') for AS Monaco; Maurice (63') for L'OM
AS Monaco:Barthez©- Sagnol, Dumas, Djetou, Léonard - Giuly, Legwinski, Diawara (Lamouchi, 68'), Gava - Trezeguet, Ikpeba (Henry, 68')
Coach:Jean Tigana
Olympique Marseille: Porato - Blondeau, Blanc©, Issa, Colleter - Roy, Pirès (Luccin, 79'), Brando - Camara (Moses, 90'), Maurice, Dugarry (Bravo, 60')
Coach:Rolland Courbis

Second leg: A cruel outcome 😭

Played at the Vélodrome, the second leg took place barely two weeks later, but the game did not go as planned. The Red and Whites were quickly reduced to 10 men following Muhamed Konjić's sending off (38'). Despite being a man down, Victor Ikpeba's teammates held firm and managed to keep the score at 0–0 at half time.

A narrow and frustrating defeat

Unfortunately, as the clash came to a head, Xavier Gravelaine picked out Aboubacar Camara in the box. Camara held off Christophe Pignol and beat the Monaco goalkeeper from close range (0–1, 71'). After that, AS Monaco pushed for an equaliser but were unable to find the goal, ultimately losing by the narrowest of margins. It was a result that meant elimination in the round-of-16 of the UEFA Cup (3–2 on aggregate).

Match report:

UEFA Cup 1998-1999 – round-of-16
Olympique Marseille - AS Monaco
Half time:0-0
Goals:Camara (71') for Olympique Marseille
Red cards:Konjic (38') for AS Monaco
Olympique Marseille: Porato - Blondeau, Blanc©, Domoraud, Gallas - Brando, Roy, Luccin (Issa, 87') - Bravo (Gourvennec, 61'), Pirès, Dugarry (Camara, 46')
Coach:Rolland Courbis
AS Monaco:Barthez©- Diawara, Konjić, Christanval, Pignol - Lamouchi (Irles, 43'), Djetou, Legwinski, Gava (Henry, 71') - Trezeguet, Ikpeba (Giuly, 56')
Coach:Jean Tigana
Photo Credit: Icon Sport

See also