Reduced to ten men again, AS Monaco fall to Stade Rennais | OneFootball

Despite a good first half with unconverted opportunities, the Rouge et Blanc succumbed after the break to a Rennes team that was clinical in front of goal (4-1).

It was scenario that proved unfavorable. Despite showing promise in the first half by creating the best opportunities, AS Monaco were forced to concede defeat to Stade Rennais, playing for nearly half an hour with ten men against eleven (4-1), on the 13th matchday of Ligue 1 McDonald’s.. ✍️

The context 📅

The Rouge et Blanc played this first match after the international break against a direct competitor for the European places with ambition and strengthened by numerous returning players. But they had to be careful, because even though they had won four straight against the Bretons, the teammates of Denis Zakaria had seen SRFC close the gap to two points thanks to their last two victories.

They're a good club that plays a fairly aggressive style of football, with a pressing game we're familiar with. The fact that they've bounced back in recent weeks proves there's character within the squad, in addition to a certain consistency in their tactical approach in recent matches.

The XI 👥

The Monaco captain, in any case, made his return to the starting eleven selected by coach Sébastien Pocognoli. It was the same for Finnish goalkeeper Lukáš Hradecký, who made his comeback in goal, as well as that of Krépin Diatta, who had suffered a facial injury against Paris FC, at right wing-back. The Belgian coach also finally welcomed back Lamine Camara and Vanderson to the bench, where Paul Pogba was making his first appearance.

The scenario 🎞

The match started at a good pace at Roazhon Park, where 500 Monaco supporters had taken their seats in the away end, although chances were slow to materialize. The first finally came from a half-volley  by Ansu Fati gathered by Samba (17′). Unfortunately, on a run by the young Rennes player Aït-Boudlal, he successfully met a cross from Camara with a lot of luck (1-0, 20′).

An organized finish, but one lacking clinical focus

The Bretons had few attempts but were incisive, and Esteban Lepaul was close to doubling the lead but Lukáš Hradecký won their one-on-one (27′). The response came from George Ilenikhena, whose attempt was blocked (30′). Then it was the Spanish winger who again showed himself with a header from a corner, and then again after a cutback by Maghnes Akliouche, without success (32′).

A second goal early in the second half stings

The same was true with a lightning-quick counter-attack he launched before being thwarted by Jacquet (39′). It was a shame, especially since Rennes almost doubled their lead through Camara, whose shot was brilliantly parried by the AS Monaco goalkeeper (41′). The two teams went into halftime with this same 1-0 scoreline, but the second half started poorly with Camara scoring the second goal after a powerful shot from Al-Tamari was parried by Hradecký (2-0, 48′).

A sending off changes the game

Habib Beye’s men continued to be dangerous on the counter, and the former Monaco player Breel Embolo would have scored but for a vital block by Mohammed Salisu (50′).Unfortunately, the match took another turn when Denis Zakaria received a red card for a dangerous challenge (66′). Rennes would then capitalize on this, scoring a third goal by the Swiss international striker (3-0, 73′).

Pogba returns, Mika saves our blushes

Then, in the dying moments, Camara won a penalty which Blas converted despite Lukáš Hradecký diving the right way (4-0, 83′). The scoreline was thus very harsh even as Paul Pogba made his return to the pitch and celebrated his Ligue 1 debut. The 2018 World Champion would see Mika Biereth reduce the deficiti in added time (4-1, 95′).

They will need to bounce back quickly this Wednesday in the Champions League, with an unprecedented trip to Cyprus to face Pafos (18:45).

Key moments 🎥

17′: Fati’s half-volley is caught by Samba 20′: Camara crosses for Aït-Boudlal, who finishes from close range (1-0) 27′: Lepaul is denied in a one-on-one with Hradecký 30′: Ilenikhena’s shot is blocked by Jacquet 32′: Teze’s corner finds Fati, whose header is saved by Samba 32′: Akliouche lays the ball back to Fati, who misses the target 39′: Fati’s powerful counter-attack is saved by Jacquet 41′: Hradecký makes a magnificent save from Camara’s shot 48′: Al-Tamari’s shot is parried by Hradecký to Camara, who finishes from close range (2-0) 50′: Embolo’s header is cleared off the line by Salisu 70′: Cissé’s long-range effort is off target 73′: Embolo scores with a header from a short corner (3-0)

81′: Al-Tamari’s curling shot is caught by Hradecký 83′: Camara wins a penalty, which Blas converts (4-0) 95′: Vanderson crosses for Biereth, who finishes from close range (4-1)

The stat 📊

Paul Pogba became the third French player to play in Ligue 1 after winning the World Cup, following Steven Nzonzi with Rennes in 2020 and Lucas Hernandez with PSG in 2023. This was his first competitive match since September 3, 2023, with Juventus against Empoli in Serie A 811 days ago..

🗓️ Match details:

Saturday November 22 2025 (19:00) – Roazhon Park

Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Matchday 13: Stade Rennais FC 4-1 AS Monaco

Halftime: 1-0

Goals: Aït-Boudlal (20′), Camara (48′), Embolo (73′) and Blas (83′) for Rennes; Biereth (95′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: Akliouche (19′) for AS Monaco

Dismissals: Zakaria (66′)

Rennes: Samba – Aït-Boudlal, Jacquet, Brassier – Frankowski (Seidu, 91′), Camara, Rongier ©, Cissé (Merlin, 75′), Al-Tamari (Kamara, 85′) – Embolo (Rosier, 91′), Lepaul (Blas, 75′)

Substitutes: Silistrie, Merlin, Nagida, Rouault, Seidu, Kamara, Blas, Meïté, Rosier

Manager: Habib Beye