PLAYER RATINGS | Nantes 3-5 Monaco: Maghnes Akliouche inspired Monégasques defeat resolute Canaris in eight-goal thriller | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 10, 29/10/25

AS Monaco climbed to second place after coming away winners of an eight-goal thriller against a resolute Nantes side.

The Match

On the back of their first away win of the season at Paris FC, Nantes started well against Sébastien Pocognoli’s side. Dehmaine Tabibou rattled Philipp Köhn’s crossbar with a curled effort. The Nantes midfielder was then too complacent and lost possession to Maghnes Akliouche. The brilliant France international’s cross for Mahamadou Coulibaly was perfect and the Monaco Academy graduate kept his cool to open the scoring.

Ahead early on, Monaco missed opportunities to double their lead. Tylel Tati hit his crossbar in deflecting Folarin Balogun’s cross and Thilo Kehrer went just wide with a header from Jordan Teze’s free kick. Nantes bit back immediately. Matthis Abline attacked Monaco’s right flank on his own, skinned Mohammed Salisu and found Herba Guirassy, who restored parity.

Takumi Minamino thought he had reclaimed Monaco’s lead, but his close-range headed goal was chalked off for offside. Les Monégasques looked the better team in the first half, given the ease with which they progressed the ball. Nantes were undone as their high line was bypassed by Coulibaly, whose through ball was met by Folarin Balogun. The USMNT striker squandered a similar situation earlier in the game, but he made no mistake this time.

As half-time beckoned, Abline was decisive once again, finding Youssef El-Arabi in Monaco’s box. Köhn let go of the Moroccan’s effort, and Guirassy was there again to find the bottom of the net. Given their domination in possession, Monaco would be left wondering how they allowed Nantes two ways back into the game.

The visitors took the lead back before the hour mark, courtesy of the brilliant Maghnes Akliouche, who only needed a touch to direct Kassoum Ouattara’s cross home. The French full-back delivered the goods again with an assist for Aleksandr Golovin, who provided a two-goal lead for the visitors.

Mostafa Mohamed reduced the deficit late on, and with Nantes going for the grandstand finish, Luis Castro’s men were too open at the back. Ansu Fati found Golovin, who scored tonight’s eighth goal.

Sébastien Pocognoli led Monaco to consecutive Ligue 1 wins to propel Les Monégasques in second place. As for Nantes, a relegation battle is on the horizon if they can’t get their defensive act together.

Nantes player ratings

Anthony Lopes – 3

The former Lyon goalkeeper was a bright star in Nantes’ rather tepid start to the Ligue 1 season, but he had an off game tonight. Not entirely responsible for every goal he conceded, but not decisive enough to prevent them either.

Kelvin Amian – 4

Chidozie Awaziem – 3

Tylel Tati – 2

The young 17-year-old was error-strewn, all over the place defensively and gave too much space to Monaco’s attackers. Hopefully, this won’t hurt his blossoming reputation too much.

Louis Leroux – 4

Kwon Hyeok-kyu – 4

Junior Mwanga – 4

Dehmaine Tabibou – 4

Herba Guirassy – 6

Youssef El-Arabi – 5

Matthis Abline – 7

His worldie against Paris FC looks to have done him a world of good. The France youth international exuded confidence and his forays forward struck fear into Monaco’s backline. Heavily involved in all three Nantes’ goals.

Selected Monaco player ratings

Philipp Köhn – 4

Mohammed Coulibaly – 6 

Maghnes Akliouche – 7

The France international has shone through tonight on the right side of Monaco’s attack. Heavily involved in two of Monaco’s three goals and it could have been more if his teammates were more clinical. Instrumental.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval