Ten-man AS Monaco fall to Olympique Lyonnais

They battled against adversity throughout the match. Although they managed to equalize just before halftime, AS Monaco’s players were ultimately outplayed by Olympique Lyonnais at the Stade Louis-II as part of the 17th matchday of Ligue 1 McDonald’s (1-3), after seeing their second goal disallowed and finishing the match with ten men. Recap. ✍️

The context 📅

The Rouge et Blanc approached this first match of the year with the desire to get back on track in the league, after two difficult months. To do so, they will need to replicate their performance from last May against this same OL at the Stade Louis-II (2-0), a result which sealed a place in the Champions League. It wouldn’t be easy against a competitor for the European places, 5th in the top flight and four points ahead in the table at kickoff.

The XI 👥

To try and put on a good show despite some notable absences (Zakaria’s suspension), Camara and Diatta at AFCON as well several injured players) Sébastien Pocognoli decided to reinstate the same 4-4-2 diamond formation he used in beating Auxerre in the Coupe de France. Of note were the additions of Mamadou Coulibaly and Jordan Teze in midfield, while Christian Mawissa started again on the right side of the defense.

The scenario 🎞

Following the tribute paid to Serge Roy, the match got off to a strong start with a powerful intervention made by Lukáš Hradecký (1′). But just after Aleksandr Golovin’s response with a beautiful curling shot (5′) a blow was struck with the Finnish goalkeeper being forced off injured (12′ He was replaced by Philipp Köhn, who was quickly called into action by keeping out an indirect free kick (13′).

Injuries weigh heavily on our Monégasques

The pace of the match was then disrupted by numerous fouls, but the Swiss goalkeeper’s vigilance was crucial in preventing Moreira from opening the scoring (29′ Unfortunately, the Rouge et Blanc were then forced to see Christian Mawissa leave the field as well (32′) This second setback preceded Lyon’s opening goal, scored by Sulc with a touch of luck from a corner kick (0-1, 38′)

Christian Mawissa reste au sol, il va être remplacé par Kassoum Ouattara.

🟢 Kassoum Ouattara
🔴 Christian Mawissa

32’ | 0️⃣-0️⃣ #ASMOL

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 3, 2026

A response from Madou Coulibaly!

The situation remained the same even though our luck eventually turned with an equalizer by Mamadou Coulibaly following a mix-up in the Lyon defense (1-1, 45+1)! It was a second assist as well for Folarin Balogun, who was very lively. The half-time whistle is therefore blown with the score tied, after 8 minutes of added time. After a hectic first half, the second half is just as eventful.

𝐁𝐔𝐔𝐔𝐔𝐓 ! Mamadou Coulibaly égalise ❤️🤍

45+4’ | 1️⃣-1️⃣ #ASMOL pic.twitter.com/UfaHnXmSAa

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 3, 2026

A disallowed goal weighs heavily

Because, following on from a volley from Balogun that was deflected for a corner (51′) Thilo Kehrer thought he’d handed Monaco the lead with a header from a corner kick (52′) However, the referee, Mr. Brisard, disallowed the goal for a seemingly minor foul. This decision proved costly, as Lyon then took the lead thanks to a fortunate brace from Sulc (1-2, 57′)

The Rouge et Blanc reduced to ten

Philipp Köhn even prevented Tolisso from extending the lead with a powerful shot (66′) Then AS Monaco suffered another setback when Coulibaly was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle (70′) Reduced to ten men once again this season, the Rouge et Blanc conceded another goal to Abner, who was found unmarked at the back post (1-3, 79′)

The substitutions made no difference, and after a final save by Köhn (88′ Monaco succumbed to defeat in their first match of the year. They will need to bounce back quickly in the round of 32 of the Coupe de France next weekend against Orléans.

Les Rouge et Blanc s'inclinent face à l'OL.

90+5’ | 1️⃣-3️⃣ #ASMOL pic.twitter.com/T2na4ZQy8G

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 3, 2026

Key moments 🎥

5′ Balogun lays the ball off for Golovin, who curls a shot with his right foot, saved by Greif
13′ Morton’s free-kick is caught by Köhn
29′ Moreira’s shot in the penalty area is saved by Köhn
38′ Tolisso’s corner is headed in by Sulc at the far post (0-1)
42′ Maitland-Niles’ shot with the outside of his foot is caught by Köhn
45+1′ Coulibaly equalizes following a scramble in the Lyon penalty area (1-1)
51′ Balogun’s volley is deflected by Kluivert for a corner
52′ Kehrer scores with a header from Caio’s corner, but the goal is disallowed for a foul
57′ Sulc’s quick shot finds the back of the net (1-2)
66′ Tolisso’s powerful shot is blocked by a diving Köhn
75′ Morton’s weak attempt is easily caught by Köhn
79′ Abner scores after being set up by Tagliafico (1-3)
88′ Karabec’s powerful shot is stopped by Köhn

🗓️ Match details:

Saturday, January 3 2026 (17:00) – Stade Louis-II

Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Matchday 17e: AS Monaco 1-3 Olympique Lyonnais

Halftime: 1-1

Goals: Coulibaly (45+1′) for AS Monaco; Sulc (38′, 57′), Abner (79′) for Lyon

Bookings: Kehrer (7′) and Balogun (78′) for AS Monaco; Mata (35′), Kluivert (70′) and Tolisso (72′) for Lyon

Red cards: Coulibaly (70′) 

AS Monaco: Hradecký (Köhn, 12′) – Mawissa (Ouattara, 35′), Kehrer ©, Salisu, C.Henrique – Coulibaly, Teze, Golovin (Idumbo, 77′) – Akliouche – Balogun, Biereth (Ilenikhena, 77′)

Substitutes: Köhn, Dier, Ouattara, Bamba, Idumbo, Touré, Brunner, Ilenikhena, Michal

Manager: Sébastien Pocognoli

Olympique Lyonnais: Greif – Kluivert, Mata, Tagliafico – Maitland-Niles, Morton, Tolisso © (Satriano, 93′), Abner (Mangala, 81′) – Merah (Tessmann, 66′) – Moreira, Sulc (Karabec, 81′)

Substitutes: Descamps, Barisic, Hateboer, De Carvalho, Ghezzal, Mangala, Tessmann, Karabec, Satriano

Manager: Paulo Fonseca