Lacking an answer, AS Monaco fall to Lens
The run has come to an end in Lens. At the end of a match in which they were dominated, AS Monaco lost 3-0 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis despite a few chances at the end of the match. With this result, they remain fourth see also the Sang et Or move five points ahead. The team will now have to win in Montpellier next Sunday (1 p.m.) to get back on track…
The context 📅
Winners against Lorient last weekend (3-1), the Rouge et Blanc were full of confidence as they looked to build on what had been four straight matches without defeat in the league. This good run had allowed them to move within two points of Lens before this crucial match in the fight for a place on the podium. Here a victory would allow them to move in front of their opponents on the evening.
The eleven 👥
Undoubtedly satisfied with the team’s display against Les Merlus, Philippe Clement again played a flat 4-4-2 with the only change being Ismail Jakobs on the left wing to replace Aleksandr Golovin, who had come up injured at the last minute. Wissam Ben Yedder and Kevin Volland started in attack, and Krépin Diatta played on the right..
Our #RCLASM line-up 📋 pic.twitter.com/O1nrTxL7FI
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) April 22, 2023
The scenario 🎞
In front of a completely filled Monegasque away end, the Monegasques were pegged back by Loïs Openda twice, in the ninth and the sixteenth minute. Caught cold, they tried to react and Youssouf Fofana tried his luck from a tight angle but his shot landed wide of Brice Samba’s goal (32′). About ten minutes later, Seko Fofana tried his luck witha heavy strike that came off the bar of Alexander Nübel (45′).
Mi-temps ⏸
Nos Monégasques sont menés à la pause. Il reste 45 minutes pour réagir et renverser ce match !
2️⃣-0️⃣ #RCLASM pic.twitter.com/KvEtLnRuru
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 22, 2023
An attempt to react
Behind by two goals at the break, the Rouge et Blanc were then close to conceding a third after the break but Adrien Thomasson’s goal was disallowed after review (50′). Unfortunately, he would score six minutes later, played in by Loïs Openda (56′). Despite this goal, Philippe Clement’s men did not want to give up but Wissam Ben Yedder lost his duel against Brice Samba (72′).
Bounce back against Montpellier on Sunday
Then it was the turn of Edan Diop, who had barely come on, to shoot slightly over the bar (75′). Then, the Belgian manager made two changes including bringing on Takumi Minamino. The Japanese quickly had a chance except his attempt lacked power (79′), while the young player shot just wide (90 + 1′).
In a difficult match, AS Monaco fell at the Stade Bollaert (0-3) and remain fourth at the end of this 32nd round. We will now have to bounce back next Sunday against Montpellier (1 p.m.) at the Stade Louis-II.
Full-time.#RCLASM pic.twitter.com/AV4fHUF7WR
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) April 22, 2023
Key moments 🎥
9′: Goal by Openda (1-0)
16′: Openda gets his double from a cross by Machado (2-0)
32′: Youssouf Fofana’s strike is just outside of Samba’s net
45′: Seko Fofana hits the bar
50′: A goal is denied to Thomasson after VAR intervenes
56′: Thomasson makes the lead 3-0
72′: Ben Yedder comes up short against Samba
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Match details
Saturday April 22 – Stade Bollaert-Delelis
Ligue 1 – Matchday 32: RC Lens 3-0 AS Monaco
Halftime: 2-0
Goals: Openda (9′), (16′), Thomasson (56′)
Bookings: Maripan (22′), Ben Yedder (68e’)
RC Lens: Samba – Gradit, Danso, Medina – Frankowski, Onana (Poreba, 88′), S.Fofana, Machado (Haïdara, 77′) – Sotoca, Openda, Thomasson (Fulgini, 77′)
Substitutes: Leca, Haïdara, Boura, Le Cardinal, Poreba, Pereira Da Costa, Claude-Maurice, Fulgini, Buksa
Manager: Franck Haise
AS Monaco: Nübel – Vanderson, Disasi, Maripán, C.Henrique – Diatta (Diop, 69′), Fofana, Camara (Matazo, 87′), Jakobs – Volland (Minamino, 76′), Ben Yedder © (Boadu, 77′)
Substitutes: Didillon, Aguilar, Matsima, Akliouche, Ben Seghir, Diop, Matazo, Minamino, Boadu
Manager: Philippe Clement
