Ultra-efficient AS Monaco return to winning ways to get back on track against Rennes | OneFootball

Having been clinical in front of goal to take the lead in the first half, the Red and Whites cruised to a comfortable victory against Stade Rennais in the Principality (4-0).

They’re back to winning ways in the league! Playing with focus and determination from start to finish against Stade Rennais, AS Monaco secured their first victory of 2026 on Matchday 20 of Ligue 1 McDonald’s (4-0). This important result was achieved with President Dmitry Rybolovlev watching on. Match report ✍️

The context 📅

The Red and Whites approached this important match with confidence having secured qualification for the Champions League playoffs against Juventus (0-0). Saing that, they needed to be wary of the Bretons, who won with a numerical advantage in the reverse fixture in Brittany (4-1), despite failing to win a game in the Principality since October 2018.

They're a team that bounced back when things got tough. I remember we created a lot of chances in the first half there and didn't defend well. They have a well-oiled system with quality players, so on paper it's going to be a difficult match, and we'll need to be ready, have the same team spirit, and simply be at our best.

The setup 👥

In a bid to secure the three points, despite the continued absences, coach Sébastien Pocognoli opted to stick with the 3-4-2-1 formation used against Juventus. He made a few changes of note, however, with the return of Africa Cup of Nations winner Krépin Diatta on the right wing and Kassoum Ouattara on the left. Ansu Fati also started up front.

The scenario 🎞

The match started slowly, though Al-Tamari tested Philipp Köhn (5′). Once again starting in the heart of the Monaco defence, Denis Zakaria managed to get forward but lacked precision with his first attempt (12′) and was unlucky with his second, as his curling shot struck Samba’s post (16′). Camara, meanwhile, fared no better for Rennes (18′).

Goal number seven for Fati!

And as the intensity of the game eased, the Red and Whites found the breakthrough on the counter-attack, thanks to a well-placed pass from Folarin Balogun that Ansu Fati cconverted with a beautiful, low, angled shot (1-0, 33’)! It was the Spanish winger’s seventh Ligue 1 goal and the American’s third assist. Monaco held onto the lead until half time, despite a header from Lepaul that was comfortably saved by Köhn (37′), while Balogun came close from a tight angle (45+5′).

Academy duo on the scoresheet after the break

The second half began with goalscorer Fati replaced by Maghnes Akliouche (46′), but Monaco started very strongly. After a powerful shot from Kassoum Ouattara rebounded off the post, Golo set up the attacking midfielder, a product of the Academy, perfectly for the second goal (2-0, 50’)! It was Akliouche’s fourth league goal of the season, assisted by our number 10. Before he could even catch his breath, Mika Biereth sent Mamadou Coulibaly through for the third goal (60′)!

A valuable win to get back on track

A third league goal of the season for the midfielder #MadeInLaDiagonale, following strikes against Nantes and Lyon. AS Monaco can finally breathe a sigh of relief, unlike the Bretons who are reeling. LRennes’ changes make no difference, and Sébastien Pocognoli’s men assert their dominance, wrapping up their first win of 2026 with a late goal from Stanis Idumbo, set up perfectly by the Danish striker who provided two assists (4-0, 89′). DAGHE MUNEGU !!! 🇲🇨

The highlights 🎥

5’: Al-Tamari’s attempt is caught by Köhn 12’: Zakaria’s shot goes wide 16’: Zakaria opens up on a run but hits the post 18’: Camara’s low shot is blocked by Köhn 33’: Fati finishes perfectly across goal from Balogun (1-0) 37’: Brassier crosses for Lepaul’s header, which Köhn catches 45+5’: Balogun hits a powerful shot from a tight angle 50’: Ouattara’s shot hits the post, but Golovin sets up Akliouche for the second goal (2-0) 52’: Lepaul’s goal is disallowed for offside 60’: Biereth plays in Coulibaly, who scores on the counter-attack (3-0) 64’: Biereth’s shot is saved by Samba 88’: Ouattara’s powerful shot goes over the bar 89’: Cross from Biereth to Idumbo who finishes with a volley (4-0) 93’: Embolo’s attempt goes well over the bar 96’: Szymanski’s shot is off target

The stats 📊

AS Monaco have scored 13 goals through substitutes in Ligue 1 this season; only Bayern Munich have done so more in Europe’s top five leagues (14).

🗓️ The match sheet:

Saturday 31st January 2026 (21:05) – Stade Louis-II

Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Matchday 20: AS Monaco – Stade Rennais

Half time: 1-0

Goals: Fati (33′), Akliouche (50′), Coulibaly (60′), Idumbo (89′) for AS Monaco

Yellow cards: Teze (22′) for AS Monaco; Embolo (12′), Brassier (28′) for Rennes

AS Monaco: Köhn – Teze, Zakaria © (Bamba, 81′), Kehrer – Diatta (Vanderson, 71′), Camara, Coulibaly, Ouattara – Golovin (Idumbo, 81′), Fati (Akliouche, 46′) – Balogun (Biereth, 56′)

Substitutes: Lienard, C.Henrique, Nibombé, Vanderson, Akliouche, Bamba, Idumbo, Biereth, Ilenikhena, Michal

Stade Rennais: Samba – Aït-Boudlal, Jacquet, Brassier (Szymanski, 56′) – Frankowski (Seidu, 56′), Camara, Cissé (Kamara, 65′), Merlin, Al-Tamari (Quiñonez, 78′) – Embolo, Lepaul (Blas, 56′)