Ligue 1 Uber Eats 28 January 2024, 00:38

Reduced to nine men, AS Monaco earn a good point in Marseille

Despite some tough decisions going against them and being reduced to nine men at the end of the match, the Rouge et Blanc knew how to use their mentality to obtain a draw on the pitch of the Vélodrome (2-2), thanks to goals from Wissam Ben Yedder and Maghnes Akliouche.

This is a point that could prove important come the end of the season. Reduced to ten men in the first quarter of an hour then to nine in the final moments of the match, AS Monaco were still able to resist and obtained a draw away to Marseille (2-2). In front at the break thanks to goals from Wissam Ben Yedder and Maghnes Akliouche, they may however harbor some regrets as the start of the match was played to their advantage. ✍️

The context 📅

After qualifying for the Coupe de France Round of 16 last weekend, AS Monaco were back in Ligue 1 action away to Olympique de Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome. Dominant but stunned in the previous match in Ligue 1 against Reims, our Rouge et Blanc wanted to get back to winning ways in order to get back on the podium and put a direct competitor eight points behind them. But they had to beware because Marseille team are undefeated at home this season (9 wins, 4 draws).

It’s one of the most beautiful atmospheres in France, and one of the most hostile too. We shared the points last season, but I don't think there is any connection between the atmosphere and the results. Marseille are a great team, one of the best in France. They still have a very good squad this year, so it is up to us to be up to the task and bring back a result.

Youssouf FofanaIn the pre-match press conference

The eleven 👥

For this big match of the 19th Matchday in Ligue 1, Adi Hütter had to deal with the absences of several players at the Africa Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup but could count on the return of Mohammed Salisu, a starter alongside Thilo Kehrer and Guillermo Maripán in defense. Denis Zakaria thus took his place in midfield with Youssouf Fofana, while Maghnes Akliouche and Aleksandr Golovin supported Wissam Ben Yedder in attack.

The scenario 🎞

In a Stade Vélodrome that was almost sold out, the Rouge et Blanc were not inhibited by the atmosphere and put their foot on the ball. And on a wonderful deep ball from Aleksandr Golovin, Wissam Ben Yedder turned Bamo Meïté and perfectly finished his left-footed shot. Pau Lopez, helpless, could but concede the opener (8′).

Monaco quickly down to ten

It was a tenth goal of the season for of the Monegasque captain who was very close to doubling the lead a few seconds later but was denied the Spanish goalkeeper, as was Denis Zakaria (9′). Despite a very good start to the game, they would suffer a cruel twist of fate with the very harsh sending off of Guillermo Maripán for having slightly held Vitinha 25 meters from goal (11′).

Guillermo Maripan est exclu 🟥

11' | 0️⃣-1⃣ #OMASM

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 27, 2024

His sending off puts the Marseillais back in the match but the Portuguese striker could not get his effort on target on a pass from Aubameyang (21′). The response from Adi Hütter’s men was immediate with Ben Yedder overhitting his shot on an action similar to the first goal (24′). The hosts dominated the ball and equalize through their Gabonese striker, who scored from close range following a strike off the post from Vitinha (38′).

A clinical Akliouche in front of goal

But as we moved towards a level score at the break, AS Monaco had one last counter to play. Leading the way, Wissam Ben Yedder played a ball for Maghnes Akliouche at the right time, who curled in his shot (45+4′), his third goal against OM this season.

𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗛𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗞𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗨𝗖𝗛𝗘 !!!!!!!

Sur une contre-attaque express, nos Rouge & Blanc reprennent l'avantage 👊👊👊

45+3' | 1⃣-2⃣ #OMASM pic.twitter.com/d0EoNXcsPA

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 27, 2024

In front at halftime, the Rouge et Blanc unfortunately wouldn’t stay ahead for long in the second half. Four minutes after kick-off, Leonardo Balerdi was not closed down and moved forward towards the area. He then unleashed a powerful strike that Philipp Köhn (49′) could not keep out.

Opportunities at both ends

Down a man, the AS Monaco players try to resist Marseille’s attacks and the Swiss goalkeeper was vigilant to deflect a shot from Aubameyang (67′) and then Vitinha failed to find the target with successive efforts (69′). First blocked by Mohammed Salisu, the attacker then fired a second attempt over the bar.

The Rouge et Blanc were not content with defending, though, and following a good bit of collective play, Aleksandr Golovin found himself in a good striking position from 20 meters, but his attempt was rejected by Pau Lopez (73′).

Nos Monégasques ne lâchent rien, 𝗗𝗔𝗚𝗛𝗘 ❤️🤍

80' | 2⃣-2⃣ #OMASM pic.twitter.com/zSw5RxefdP

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 27, 2024

Reduced to nine men, AS Monaco hold on for a draw

Changes then came for both sides and we noted the appearance of Eliesse Ben Seghir, for the first time in more than three months (84′). Playing with ten men since the 11th minute, the Principality club finished the match with nine following the exclusion of Denis Zakaria for a second yellow (87′). Olympique de Marseille pushes for a winner and it took a game-saving tackle from Mohammed Salisu in front of Aubameyang to prevent the Gabonese from scoring (90+2′).

Then Vitinha, alone in front of goal, made a huge miss and Köhn grabbed the ball just in front of the line (90+4′). It is with this big chance that the match ended, allowing AS Monaco to leave with a point from the Vélodrome. The team’s next match is against Le Havre, next Sunday (1 p.m.) at the Stade Louis-II.

Daghe Monaco! 🇲🇨

Key moments 🎥

8′: Ben Yedder opens the scoring with a shot across goal from the left (0-1)
9′: Lopez repels a shot from Ben Yedder at his near post
11′: Maripán is sent off for a foul on Vitinha
21′: Played in behind by Aubameyang, Vitinha can’t get his effort on target
24′: Released by Akliouche, Captain’ Wiss overhits his shot
38′: Aubameyang equalizes from close range (1-1)
45+4′: On a rapid counter, Akliouche beats Lopez (1-2)
49′: A powerful strike from Balerdi levels the match (2-2)
67′: Köhn deflects an attempted cross from Aubameyang with the tips of his gloves
69′: Vitinha is denied by Salisu before shooting over
73′: The Monegasques answer through by Golovin who sees his shot blocked by Lopez
87′: A second yellow for Zakaria sees him sent off
90+2′: A game-saving tackle from Salisu to deny Aubameyang
90+4′: A huge miss from Vitinha from close range

The stat 📊

In front after the first 45 minutes, AS Monaco are now undefeated in 39 Ligue 1 matches after leading at the break (32 wins, 7 draws), i.e. since May 2, 2021 against Lyon (2-3 defeat).

📋 Match details:

Saturday, January 27 – Stade Vélodrome

Ligue 1 Uber Eats – Matchday 19: Olympique de Marseille 2-2 AS Monaco

Halftime: 1-2

Goals: Aubameyang (38′), Balerdi (49′) for OM; Ben Yedder (8′), Akliouche (45+4′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: Soglo (76′) for OM; Zakaria (74′) (87′), Kehrer (82′) for AS Monaco

Dismissals: Maripán (11′), Zakaria (87′) for AS Monaco

Olympique de Marseille: Lopez – Clauss (Soglo, 35′, Correa, 78′), Meïté, Balerdi, Garcia – Veretout, Kondogbia, Onana (Sidi Ali, 86′) – Henrique, Vitinha, Aubameyang

Substitutes: Blanco, Jousselin, Nyakossi, Sparagna, Soglo, Tika, Correa, Moreira, Sidi Ali

Manager: Gennaro Gattuso

AS Monaco: Köhn – Kehrer, Maripán, Salisu – Vanderson, Zakaria, Fofana, Ouattara – Golovin, Akliouche (Ben Seghir, 86′) – Ben Yedder © (Matsima, 89′)

Substitutes: Majecki, Cartillier, Matsima, Ben Seghir, Coulibaly, Diop, Magassa, Boadu, Michal

Manager: Adi Hütter