Monaco beat Rennes to finish the year in style!
AS Monaco concluded a very good 2021 with a victory against Stade Rennais (2-1) this Wednesday evening on the 19th round of Ligue 1. For this big match against the Bretons, Niko Kovac opted for an untested eleven, with Ismail Jakobs in as left back and Caio Henrique playing just in front of him. In the absence of Youssouf Fofana, who was suspended, it was Eliot Matazo who started alongside Aurélien Tchouameni in midfield, and the duo “Yedderland” lined up in attack.
The Rouge et Blanc were immediately dangerous, with a header from Sofiane Diop going just over the goal (6′). Unfortunately, though, Rennes reacted quickly and opened the scoring through Martin Terrier, after an exchanged in the box with Gaëtan Laborde (1-0, 16′).
23 goals in 2021 for Wissam Ben Yedder
But Niko Kovac’s men showed strength and quickly recovered thanks to a penalty won by Caio Henrique from a handball by Hamari Traoré. And if ones sees a penalty given, on thinks goal by Wissam Ben Yedder, who scored his 10th of the season in Ligue 1 and his 23rd this calendar year. Only Radamel Falcao has done better in the top flight in the 21st century in the Monegasque jersey (25 in 2017).
After having concluded the first half on level terms, the two teams started the second period at a slightly slower pace after returning from the locker rooms. Kevin Volland was, however, close to a goal but his volley, on a good cross from Ismail Jakobs, was saved by Alfred Gomis (61′).
Kevin Volland brings the Louis-II to its feet
It was only a postponement for the German, however, who finally found the winner with a header on a pass from Sofiane Diop (2-1, 71′). It was a goal synonymous with victory, since the Monegasques would control the end of the match perfectly, except for a small moment of a danger when Baptiste Santamaria hit the crossbar (75′) and a fine save by Alexander Nübel in stoppage time on a shot from Benjamin Bourigeaud (90 + 3′).
After this superb victory to conclude 2021, the Rouge et Blanc will take a well-deserved break, then will resume competition on January 2 with a trip to play Quevilly-Rouen Métropole, in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. Their next Ligue 1 match will take place in Nantes on Sunday January 9 (5 p.m.).
Match details
Ligue 1 Uber Eats – Matchday 19
AS Monaco 2-1 Stade Rennais FC
Halftime: 1-1
Goals: Ben Yedder (35′ pen), Volland (71′) ; Terrier (16′)
Bookings: Tchouameni (87′); Truffert (13′)
AS Monaco: Nübel – Sidibé, Disasi, Maripán, Jakobs – Diop, Tchouameni, Matazo (Badiashile 88′), C.Henrique (Gelson Martins 71′) – Volland (Jean Lucas 88′), Ben Yedder (Boadu 81′)
Substitutes: Majecki, Badiashile, Pavlović, Matsima, Jean Lucas, Lemarechal, Gelson Martins, Boadu, Isidor
Manager: Niko Kovac
Rennes: Gomis – Traoré, Badé, Omari, Truffert – Majer (Santamaria 61′), Martin (Guirassy 76′), Tait – Bourigeaud, Laborde, Terrier (Sulemana 76′)
Substitutes: Bonnet, Assignon, Santamaria, Ugochukwu, Diouf, Abline, Guirassy, Tchaouna, Sulemana
Manager: Bruno Genesio
