A solid AS Monaco resist the conditions to win in Bodø! | OneFootball

Thanks to a goal from Folarin Balogun at the end of the first half and exemplary teamwork thereafter, the Rouge et Blanc secured a 1-0 victory in Norway. This first win in the Champions League puts them right back in contention.

They overcame the difficult conditions. In this match played on artificial turf and in the rain, AS Monaco managed to triumph over Bodø/Glimt on the fourth matchday of the Champions League (0-1). This first victory of the season in the competition was achieved in front of President Dmitry Rybolovlev, who was present at the Aspmyra Stadion in Norway. Recap ✍️

The context 📅

After draws against Manchester City (2-2) and Tottenham (0-0),AS Monaco’s players would now try to secure their first Champions League victory and get their qualification hopes back on track. But the task ahead wouldn’t be easy against Bodø/Glimt, where several big European clubs have lost in recent seasons, including AS Roma, Porto and Lazio.

We know Bodø are very strong at home, we know what we're up against. I think we'll need to be consistent as a team and show the right attitude and character. They have a lot of quality, but their strength lies in their teamwork because they've developed a strong understanding and cohesion over the past few years.

The XI 👥

For this fourth Champions League matchday, Sébastien Pocognoli fielded a 3-4-3 formation but had to contend with two more absences: Ansu Fati and Krépin Diatta. To compensate, Jordan Teze started at right wing-back, while Aleksandr Golovin would partner Mamadou Coulibaly in midfield. Up front, Folarin Balogun was supported by Maghnes Akliouche and Takumi Minamino.

The scenario 🎞

With the match kicking off in driving rain and a very chilly 0°C wind chill, it was slow to get going. Indeed, it wasn’t until the 19th minute that the first real chance arose, a header from Thilo Kehrer which flashed wide, before Kasper Hogh’s shot was easily caught by Philipp Köhn a few moments later (21′).

Balogun breaks the deadlock before halftime

Monaco gradually took control and Maghnes Akliouche saw his left-footed shot also go over the bar (23′), as did Patrick Berg’s shot for Bodø (32′). There was more luck, however, for Folarin Balogun, who fired home from a tight angle to open the scoring for AS Monaco (0-1, 43′)! The timing was perfect, although they had to be wary of the Norwegians’ response when their number 9 hit the post (45′).

Köhn decisive on several occasions

The Rouge et Blanc, supported by more than 200 fans, thus led 1-0 at halftime. From the restart, it was the Scandinavians who looked dangerous, with Fredrik Sjovold’s shot being cleared off the line by Caio Henrique (47′). The Swiss goalkeeper then made crucial saves from a dangerous free kick by the former Lens player and Hogh (52′), then from a curling shot by Jens Petter Hauge (55′), and finally from a volley by the Bodø striker, who was proving to be very lively (58′).

Monaco ends the match with a numerical advantage

In an attempt to hold the lead, Sébastien Pocognoli strengthened his midfield with the introduction of Pape Cabral (63′). But it was again Hogh who posed the greatest threat, as his shot grazed the post (69′). Shortly afterward, Mika Biereth entered the game (73′). This final substitution proved decisive, as the Danish striker won a red card against Gundersen (82′). With a numerical advantage, AS Monaco came close to doubling their lead, but Mamadou Coulibaly’s shot was saved by Haikin (87′).

A valuable victory for the future

The Rouge et Blanc then handled stoppage time perfectly and withstood the final Norwegian attacks, securing a precious 1-0 victory on Matchday 4 of the Champions League! This first win in the competition allows them to temporarily climb back up the standings, to 18th place. Their next match will be in Pafos, on Wednesday November 26 (18:45), to keep this run going. DAGHE MUNEGU!!! 🇲🇨

Key moments 🎥

19′: Kehrer heads over from a Caio Henrique corner 21′: Hogh’s glancing header poses no threat to Köhn 23′: Akliouche’s left-footed volley from six yards out goes over 32′: Berg’s shot from the edge of the box is too high 43′: Balogun scores with a powerful shot at the near post (0-1) 45′: Hogh’s right-footed deflection hits the post 47′: Caio Henrique makes a crucial save from a Sjovold shot 52′: Köhn makes a double save from Berg and Hogh 55′: Hauge’s curling shot is gathered at the second attempt by Köhn 58′: Hogh’s volley is saved by the Monaco goalkeeper 69′: Hogh’s low, angled shot goes just wide of the post 79′: Ouattara’s left-footed shot is over the bar 87′: Coulibaly’s shot is saved by Haikin

The stat 📊

Maghnes Akliouche made his 20th decisive assist for AS Monaco in all competitions. Since makinghis debut with the Principality club on October 16, 2021, only Caio Henrique has more (29).

🗓️ Match details:

Tuesday, November 4 2025 (21:00) – Aspmyra Stadion

Champions League – Matchday 4: Bodø/Glimt – AS Monaco

Halftime: 0-1

Goals: Balogun (43′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: Auklend (4′) for Bodø/Glimt; Kehrer (24′), Salisu (42′), Ouattara (88′) for AS Monaco

Sendings off: Gundersen (82′) for Bodø/Glimt

Bodø/Glimt: Haikin – Sjovold, Bjortuft, Moe (Gundersen, 46′), Bjorkan (Nielsen, 86′) – Evjen, Berg ©, Fet (Blomberg, 73′) – Auklend, Hogh (Helmersen, 73′), Hauge (Maatta, 86′)

Substitutes: Faye Lund, Brondbo, Nielsen, Gundersen, Blomberg, Helmersen, Klynge, Riisnaes, Bassi, Maatta, Jorgensen, Hansen