Why AS Monaco has the second best bench in France
They scored three of AS Monaco’s five goals against Lorient, last Wednesday (in a 5-2 win). Aleksandr Golovin even scored his first goal of the season, just ten seconds after coming on against Les Merlus, after more than four months without playing. He was the “best change” of Niko Kovac’s career, the Monaco coach quipped at a press conference after the match. Three days later, it was Stevan Jovetić who scored in just five minutes.
🎦⚽️ Après 4 mois d'absence, il n'aura fallu que 10 secondes au Tsar pour signer un retour fracassant 💥 #FCLASM pic.twitter.com/d2bQpYvB6m
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 7, 2021
Most decisive substitutes, second only to PSG
Against Angers (a 3-0 win), the Montenegrin striker scored his first goal of the year in Ligue 1, on a pas from Kevin Volland, offering further proof that AS Monaco’s substitutes have shown themselves to be particularly important in this first half of the season. In fact, they are even among the most decisive in the French top flight, according to figures compiled by our partner STATS. The Red and Whites “super subs” are second in the table in terms of the number of goals scored and points won since August.
🎦⚽️ Stevan Jovetić clos le spectacle sur une nouvelle passe décisive de @KeVolland. C'est le premier but de la saison pour @sjovetic !
𝐉𝐨𝐯𝐞́ 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 👊
3⃣-0⃣ #ASMSCO pic.twitter.com/0UgYDzAy4C
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 10, 2021
With seven goals scored in 19 matches, or nearly 20% of the total goals scored this season, the Monegasque bench is one of the most decisive in Ligue 1, just behind Paris Saint-Germain (8 goals). Indeed, they have scored four of AS Monaco’s last seven goals, and have been instrumental in securing 4th place in the top flight after the first half of the season. They’ve also allowed the Principality club to capture an six additional points, thanks to these goals.
The rule permitting five substitutions is a welcome change
It’s Ligue 1’s best total, tied with LOSC. Against Lorient, the Principality’s club even became the second team ever in Ligue 1 history to have three different substitutes score in the same game. Aleksandr Golovin, Sofiane Diop and Guillermo Maripán helped the Red and Whites to take three points in Brittany, something which hadn’t happened since a victory by Paris against Montpellier in September 1996.
🔁 Aleksandr Golovin ⚽️
🔁 @SofianeDiop ⚽️
🔁 Guillermo Maripan ⚽️⏱️ Avec 3 buts inscrits par ses remplaçants, l'@AS_Monaco a signé une performance rare dans les 5 grands championnats européens 🔝 ➡ https://t.co/Xe8rvjISV5 pic.twitter.com/EtB5Hetfhy
— Ligue 1 Uber Eats (@Ligue1UberEats) January 7, 2021
That’s why Niko Kovacso often emphasizes the importance of involving the whole squad every week in training and in matches, all the more so with the new rule allowing five changes, which the Monaco coach has already had the opportunity to welcome. More than ever, AS Monaco does not only play with just the first choice eleven on the pitch — the numbers prove it. Well done to our “super subs”!
