Despite Slimani
What would have happened to this match if Islam Slimani had found the net for the third time at the Stade de la Meinau?
We will never know, as this incredible sequence resulted in an improbable intervention of Matz Sels! We saw a “one-two” with Ballo-Touré the 81st minute, the Algerian international finding the crossbar on his shot. After a rebound in front of the goal-line, the ball was flying in the air, and Slimani struck with an acrobatic shot! The attempt on goal was close, but the goalkeeper from Strasbourg did well to retain the 1-3 lead. Moments later, Thomasson attempted an equalizer in the Monegasque area, and once again this season, the success was not in favor of AS Monaco.
Lala meets Slimani
Les Rouge et Blanc seemed to have done the most in the first period. In the 11th minute, Slimani was ahead of Sels in the box on a good cross from Gelson. He scored quietly without opposition to give his team the advantage. Moments later (20′), it is Dias who approached the Alsatian area, but was saved by Sels. In the 26th minute, with a low shot, Golovin worried the Alsatians, but the ball passed flush with the left post. The break was approaching when Maripán was sanctioned for bringing down Ajorque in the area. Lala took care of the penalty. AS Monaco had to reset.
Immediate Reaction
With barely enough time to breathe, Slimani marvelously intercepted a missed back pass from Mitrovic. The attacker followed, played Sels easily and finished again in the empty goal (40′). Just like after the first goal, AS Monaco was close to breaking through when Ben Yedder faced Sels at the very end of the first period. As with Dias a little earlier, the goalkeeper won the duel. It was 1-2 at the break, a deserved advantage, but with work to do in order to finish the work in the second half after a strong first half from the Red and White.
Unfortunate Slimani, Thomasson the opportunist
The second period was more difficult. Golovin had Sels on alert shortly before the hour mark, without framing his shot from the top of the box. Glik pushed back two consecutive corners from the right, and the attackers had few spaces or opportunities to put in their attempts. Then came the crucial 81st minute in which Slimani and Sels were the main actors … Despite this close call, Strasbourg never abdicated in this meeting, and Thomasson was able to equalize on one of the only opportunities of his team, while there was only a handful of minutes to play. Once again AS Monaco must be content with a draw, despite Islam Slimani, who deserved to shake the nets a third time.
