A solid AS Monaco dominate Rennes to move back on to the podium!

This result does us (a lot) of good! Under pressure after wins by Lille and Brest, the AS Monaco players responded against Rennes, to obtain their first victory at the Stade Louis-II since December 3 (1-0). These three points allow us to believe a little more in a return to the Champions League next season.  ✍️

The context 📅

Already ten points ahead of the Bretons in the table, the Rouge et Blanc had the opportunity to all but eliminiate out a direct competitor for the European places. The objective is also to return to winning ways at home, after six unsuccessful matches in Fontvieille. This is a good omen, because SRFC has only won one of its last 13 trips to the Principality.

The eleven 👥

In an attempt to glean three crucial points in the race for the Champions League, Adi Hütter decided to rely on the same 4-2-3-1 he deployed in Metz (in a 2-5 win). There was once exception with the return from suspension of Denis Zakaria, who reunited with Youssouf Fofana in midfield. For the rest, there were no major changes.

👥 Le 𝗫𝗜 𝗱𝗲 𝗱𝗲́𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 🆚 @staderennais

‣ #ASMSRFC pic.twitter.com/r8BE2ms91O

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 7, 2024

The scenario 🎞

The match started slowly, until a perfect pass by Takumi Minamino on the cutback for the French international, but he unfortunately did not get his effort on target (4′). It was a first (very) big chance, to which Adrien Truffert responded from range, without creating any real sense of danger (5′). The Rouge et Blanc managed to hold the ball, and Aleksandr Golovin tried his luck with a powerful shot from the left (11′). Before immediately finding Thilo Kehrer, whose header is was cleared off the line by Steve Mandanda (12′).

Majecki on fire, Akliouche with the finish!

The match then really got lively, and Radeck Majecki even had to make in impressive save to deny Amine Gouiri (15′), and then kept out a volley from Martin Terrier which he deflected with a magnificent tip onto the bar (18′). The Pole pulled out all the stops and even made a magnificent double save to stop first Gouiri and then Bourigeaud (21′). What a display! These were decisive interventions, since shortly thereafter, Ismail Jakobs got forward on the left to find Maghnes Akliouche who finished from close range (1-0, 25′)!

Balanced play and expected goals

The attacking midfielder formed at the Academy, MVP in Metz, scored his 7th goal of the season in Ligue 1, and the 27th for AS Monaco in the first half. A second was even close on a cross to the far post from Vanderson for Ben Yedder (33′), even if Rennes proved dangerous twice around it (31′ and 39′). Half-time finally came after a final run from Amine Gouiri into the Monegasque area (44′) and a final chance for Akliouche (45 + 2′).

A story of red cards

The match took a new turn upon returning from the locker room, when Martin Terrier was sent off by Ms. Frappart (46′). Logically, Adi Hütter’s men took control, and Golo’ was close to succeeding with his special, the a curling shot from the right, and would have without a monumental save from Mandanda (61′)! Unfortunately the numerical superiority will not last, since Thilo Kehrer received a second (rather harsh) yellow card (64′).

Victory and an option on the Champions League!

The two coaches took the opportunity to make a few changes, and Ludovic Blas immediately served notice with a sudden strike, which Radeck repelled with a diving effort (75′). The atmosphere continued to mount in tension as the minutes passed, and eight additional minutes were even announced. But the Monegasques held on, and finally won at the end of a match filled with suspense… and plenty of character (1-0)!

This win and three points has allowed AS Monaco to climb back on to the podium and to believe a little more in qualification for the next Champions League. DAGHE MUNEGU! 🇲🇨

Key moments 🎥

4′: A cutback by Minamino for Fofana who does not get his effort on target
5′: A long shot by Truffert is stopped by Majecki
11′: Vanderson plays in Golovin who shoots powerfully from the left
12′: Kehrer’s header is pushed back by Mandanda on his line
15′: Gouiri’s shot is stopped by Majecki
18′: Majecki tips the ball onto the bar from a Terrier volley
21′: An exceptional double save by Majecki to deny first Gouiri and then Bourigeaud
25′: Jakobs finds Akliouche with a cutback and he finishes from close range (1-0)
31′ Kalimuendo’s strike is captured by Majecki
33′: Vanderson finds Ben Yedder at the back post but he misses the target
39′: A free kick from Bourigeaud goes over the crossbar
44′: A run from Gouiri but he can’t find the target
45+2′: Vanderson crosses for Akliouche but his efffort is blocked
46′: A red card for Terrier for dangerous play on Akliouche
48′: A free kick by Golovin is repelled by Mandanda
55′: Singo’s acrobatic effort goes over
61′: A sublime curling shot by Golovin is deflected by Mandanda
75′: A powerful strike by is Blas stopped by Majecki

The stat 📊

AS Monaco attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche scored his 7th goal in Ligue 1 in 2023-2024, becoming the third player born in 2002 or later to reach this mark this season in the elite, after Elye Wahi (Lens) and Emanuel Emegha (Strasbourg).

🌟 Une nouvelle superbe prestation de Maghnes Akliouche (@Nesmaar_A) ponctué d'un but… et d'un joli 7 sur @MonPetitGazon 🐐 ! #ASMSRFC pic.twitter.com/Laa5PRiF2P

— Ligue 1 Uber Eats (@Ligue1UberEats) April 7, 2024

📋 Match details:

Sunday April 7 – Stade Louis-II

Ligue 1 – Matchday 28: AS Monaco 1-0 Stade Rennais

Halftime: 1-0

Goals: Akliouche (25′) for AS Monaco 

Bookings: Kehrer (36′ and 64′), Singo (58′) for AS Monaco; Theate (81′) for Rennes

Carton rouge: Kehrer (64′) for AS Monaco; Terrier (46′) for Rennes

AS Monaco: Majecki – Vanderson, Singo, Kehrer, Jakobs (Ouattara, 68′) – Fofana, Zakaria – Akliouche, Minamino, Golovin – Ben Yedder © (Balogun, 73′)

Substitutes: Köhn, Ouattara, Salisu, Ben Seghir, Camara, Diatta, Magassa, Balogun, Embolo

Manager: Adi Hütter

Stade Rennais: Mandanda – Seidu (G.Doué, 66′), Wooh, Theate, Truffert – Bourigeaud (Le Fée, 66′), Matusiwa (Santamaria, 66′), D.Doué – Gouiri (Blas, 74′), Kalimuendo (Yildirim, 84′), Terrier

Substitutes: Gallon, Belocian, G.Doué, Omari, Blas, Le Fée, Rieder, Santamaria, Yildirim

Manager: Julien Stéphan