AS Monaco continues its run against Angers to climb the table | OneFootball

Patiently waiting to make the difference in the second half against a cautious SCO, the Rouge et Blanc finally won for the third time in a row in Ligue 1 (2-0), extending their unbeaten run in the top flight to six games.

It was a victory that confirms their positive momentum in the league! Focused and disciplined, AS Monaco’s players deservedly dominated Angers SCO on Matchday 24 of Ligue 1 McDonald’s, extending their unbeaten run in the top flight (six matches). It was hree crucial points in the race for European qualification, secured at the Stade Louis-II in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and President Dmitry Rybolovlev. Recap ✍️

The context 📅

Winners in comeback fashion against Lens last weekend (2-3) and close to qualifying against PSG in the Champions League playoffs, (2-2), AS Monaco approached this match against Angers with more confidence. Especially since history favors them, as the Rouge et Blanc have only lost one of their last 12 matches against Le SCO in the top flight.

I expect a tough match. It was the first game I managed here, and I was impressed by their quality on the ball in the draw there (1-1). They have a clear and well-known game plan; they're a very attacking team. Even at the European level, their style is valued. If we're not at 150%, they can cause us problems. We need to be ready and focused.

The XI 👥

To try and continue the current positive momentum in the league (3 wins, 2 draws), coach Sébastien Pocognoli opted to maintain the three-man defense used against PSG in the second leg of the Champions League (2-2). Three changes were worth noting, with the returns of Jordan Teze, Aleksandr Golovin and Ansu Fati to the starting eleven.

The scenario 🎞

This match with the new red and white seats in the stands started slowly, with Angers playing a very compact game and enjoying 75% possession. Indeed, it wasn’t until the 32nd minute that we sa a shot on target, a header by Peter for Le SCO, which Philipp Köhn easily got to. It was an action that somewhat woke up the 22 players.

A more lively quarter of an hour

Because, following on from this, Jordan Teze played in  Aleksandr Golovin who attempted a backheel flick, which went narrowly wide (33′). Then, in the same minute, Belkhdim’s shot on the counter was just wide. The end of the first half belonged to Monaco, and a superb through ball by Aladji Bamba found Lamine Camara but he missed a chance to open the scoring (40′). All of this was before a header by the Dutch right wingback also just missed the target (43′).

Balogoal breaks the deadlock!

The intensity increased after the restart, but Ansu Fati’s first attempt was too weak to trouble Pona (47′). His AS Monaco goalkeeping counterpart, Köhn, then had to be fully alert to intercept Belkhdim’s run in behind (50′). But it was ultimately a fluke that decided the match, with the opening goal by Folarin Balogun coming from a poorly cleared cross by Teze (1-0, 57′)!

Simon “supersub” Adingra doubles the lead!

It was a sixth Ligue 1 goal for the American, which would surely inspire Sébastien Pocognoli’s men. Almost immediately afterward, it was Simon Adingra, who had come on at halftime, who unleashed a magnificent curling shot into the far corner (2-0, 62′)! The Rouge et Blanc extended their lead, with the Ivorian winger scoring his third goal in the top flight, and the 15th off the bench in the league this season.

A winning debut in Ligue 1 pour Nibombé

Two goals in five minutes, it as almost as good as last weekend in Lens (3 goals in 10 minutes), which would seal the result in a match whose only other notable achievement would be the first appearance in the top flight for Samuel Nibombé, who had come off the bench in the Champions League at the Parc des Princes (95′). AS Monaco had won for the third time in a row in Ligue 1 et and continued to climb the table. DAGHE MUNEGU!!! 🇲🇨

Key moments 🎥

32′: Peter’s header is caught on the line by Köhn 33′: Golovin’s attempted backheel flick from a Teze cross goes wide 33′: Belkhdim’s solo run ends with a low, angled shot that goes wide 40′: Bamba plays a clever through ball to Camara, who shoots over the bar 43′: Balogun crosses to Teze, whose header goes wide 47′: Fati’s low shot is saved by Pona 50′: A good intervention by Köhn on Belkhdim’s run in behind 57′: Teze’s cross is met by Balogun who opens the scoring (1-0) 62′: Adingra curls a beautiful shot into the far corner (2-0)

The stat’ 📊

AS Monaco scored their 15th goal of the season thanks to a substitute, Simon Adingra, representing 38% of their goals – the highest total among Europe’s top five. Only Celta Vigo (41%) has a better ratio.

🗓️ Match details:

Saturday February 2028 (19:00) – Stade Louis-II

Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Matchday 24: AS Monaco 2-0 Angers SCO

Halftime: 0-0

Goals: Balogun (57′), Adingra (62′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: Pona (45′), Belkhdim (56′), Harouna (82′) for Angers

AS Monaco: Köhn – Kehrer, Zakaria © (Nibombé, 95′), Faes – Teze, Camara, Bamba (Mawissa, 67′), C.Henrique (Adingra, 46′) – Fati, Balogun, Golovin

Substitutes: Lienard, Mawissa, Nibombé, Vanderson, Akliouche, Idumbo, Adingra, Biereth, Brunner