Maghnes Akliouche lifts AS Monaco in Lyon as coach praises his modern edge | OneFootball

Maghnes Akliouche inspired AS Monaco’s comeback at Lyon, scoring the equaliser and drawing the foul before the winner in a commanding second half.

According to Nice-Matin, he has been decisive in four of his last five matches and now has seven goals and seven assists across all competitions.

Akliouche was denied by Greif before the break. After half-time Monaco raised their line and he levelled at 1-1 with a dazzling run that left Clinton Mata trailing. Corentin Tolisso then fouled him in the box, before the strike for 1-2.

Coach Sébastien Pocognoli said he cherishes creative players and seeks to protect them, and highlighted Akliouche’s work without the ball, claiming he leads Ligue 1 for high regains. In reality he ranks third on 23, behind Toulouse’s Gboho on 27 and Lens’s Sangaré on 24.

His late defensive read to shut down Moreira in the area, staying upright and calm, underlined that balance. The former defender Pocognoli even joked he would probably have slid in, noting such creatives often stay on their feet because they are a step ahead.

Urged to add consistency this season, Akliouche has hit a high level over five games and helped a run of six straight wins, nine unbeaten in Ligue 1. Pocognoli says maintaining that mix will need further physical work and that progress is coming gradually.

He now heads for a fourth straight France camp, a short United States trip featuring friendlies against Brazil and Colombia in the coming days.

Source: Nice-Matin