When AS Monaco traveled to Norway to face Viking Stavanger
A battle in the north of Europe. This Tuesday (21:00), AS Monaco will step onto the pitch of Bodø/Glimt, as part of Matchday Four in the Champions League. Even if the two sides have never faced each other, this isn’t the first time the Rouge et Blanc have been in action in Norway. Here’s a look back at a trip which took place during the 2005-2006 UEFA Cup. Flashback. 🔙
Eight players from the 2004 campaign are present
Relegated to the Europa League after being knocked out by Real Betis in the Champions League preliminary round, the players from the Principality club begin their campaign on the pitch of Viking Stavanger, in southwestern Norway. Several members of the 2004 squad participated in this match, such as Sébastien Squillaci, Gaël Givet, Patrice Evra, Andreas Zikos, Lucas Bernardi, Jaroslav Plasil and Emmanuel Adebayor.
A terrible lack of luck
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned for Francesco Guidolin’s men, who conceded the opening goal to Nkosinathi Nhleko shortly after the quarter-hour mark in driving rain (18′). While they subsequently created several clear chances, the Rouge et Blanc lacked the finishing touch, as exemplified by Maicon’s header that struck the crossbar in the final minute.
An opening defeat, but first place at the end
It was thus a frustrating scenario and a 1-0 defeat in the Land of the Midnight Sun but it didn’t prevent AS Monaco from reaching the knockout stages of the competition, thanks to a perfect record against Hamburg (2-0), Slavia Prague (0-2), and CSKA Sofia (2-1). Finishing top of their group, their run ultimately ended in the Round of 32 following a defeat to FC Basel (2-1 on aggregate).
Photos: Icon Sport
🗓️ Match details:
October 20 2005 – Viking Stadion
🇪🇺 UEFA Cup – Matchday 1
Viking Stavanger 1-0 AS Monaco
Halftime: 1-0
Goals: Nhleko (18′) for Viking Stavanger
Bookings: Grande (31′) for Viking Stavanger
Viking Stavanger: Basso – Hansen, Pereira, Hangeland, Tengesdal – Nygaard, Kopteff, Gaarde – Grande (Mambo Mumba, 73′), Ostenstad, Nhleko (Svenning, 89′)
Manager: Roy Hodgson
AS Monaco: Warmuz – Squillaci, Modesto, Givet – Maicon, Bernardi, Plasil (Gigliotti, 46′), Evra (Zikos, 46′) – Meriem, Kapo (Maoulida, 84′), Adebayor
Manager: Francesco Guidolin
