Monaco take a point in Reims before the break

A point before the break. In their last match before the international break, AS Monaco headed to Reims on Sunday afternoon, as part of the 13th matchday in Ligue 1. The goal was simple: get back to winning ways after losing away to Brest (2-0) last weekend. It was a  partly successful enterprise, as the team returned home with a point following a match in which they were dominant but failed to score. (0-0).

A first half full of chances

For this trip, Niko Kovac decided to line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Sofiane Diop, Aleksandr Golovin and Gelson Martins in support of Wissam Ben Yedder, and the a third start in Ligue 1 for Ismail Jakobs at left back. It was system that allowed the Rouge et Blanc to quickly be dangerous, with a first shot on target falling to Aurélien Tchouameni (3′).

Our good start to the match was confirmed with a shot by Ismail Jakobs being saved back after a counterattack led by Wissam Ben Yedder (23′), then with an effort from Ruben Aguilar being well-saved by Predrag Rajkovic (24′). Youssouf Fofana and then Sofiane Diop, in the same minute (33′), were also close to opening the scoring, but the two teams returned to the locker room goalless.

The traveling fans make themselves heard

In front of a visitors’ section which was once again very full, the Rouge et Blanc continued to exert the pressure in the second half, but the Reims block was difficult to break down. Aurélien Tchouameni had several efforts, including a strike from outside the area (63′) and an acrobatic scissor kick (87′), as did Myron Boadu, who was dangerous immediately after coming on (73′), or Kevin Volland, whose header flashed just wide following a perfect cross from Caio Henrique (91′).

And when the hosts got on the front foot, Alexander Nübel was ready to respond, as on a fine free kick from Mathieu Cafaro (74′). Unfortunately, the minutes ticked away and the Monegasques failed to score before the final whistle …

A match against the champions to come

So now comes the international break, with several players from Niko Kovac’s team set to play for their countries. Everyone will then reunite to prepare for the next match, which is a big one: a visit from Lille, the reigning French champion, on Friday, November 19 at the Stade Louis-II (9 p.m.).

Match details

Ligue 1 Uber Eats – Matchday 13

Stade de Reims 0-0 AS Monaco

Halftime: 0-0

Bookings: Golovin (25′), Badiashile (57′)

Stade de Reims : Rajkovic – Gravillon, Faes, Abdelhamid ©, Konan – Flips (Cafaro 57′), Cassama (Locko 92′), Matusiwa – Mbuku (Van Bergen 46′), Ekitike (Touré 65′), Donis (Berisha 65′)

Substitutes: Diouf, Mbow, Locko, Berisha, Cafaro, Sissoko, Kebbal, Van Bergen, Touré

Manager: Oscar Garcia

AS Monaco: Nübel – Aguilar, Maripán, Badiashile, Jakobs (C.Henrique 72′) – Tchouameni, Fofana – Gelson Martins (Volland 61′), Golovin (Diatta 61′), Diop – Ben Yedder (Boadu 72′)

Substitutes: Mannone, C.Henrique, Disasi, Sidibé, Diatta, Jean Lucas, Lemarechal, Boadu, Volland

Manager: Niko Kovac