Dominant but unrewarded, AS Monaco draw against Le Havre | OneFootball

In a match where they created several scoring opportunities, the Rouge et Blanc failed to find a way past a solid Le Havre defense (0-0).

Facing Le Havre on Matchday 19 of Ligue 1 McDonald’s, AS Monaco’s players earned a point with a 0-0 draw, despite several clear scoring opportunities. The match was played in front of President Dmitry Rybolovlev, who was present at the Stade Océane. Recap. ✍️

The context 📅

Eager to return to winning ways in Ligue 1, AS Monaco’s players approach this trip to Le Havre with ambition against a team they have a good record against. And for good reason, as the Normans have won just 6% of their encounters with the Rouge et Blanc over the last 30 years in the league (5 draws and 12 defeats). This is a statistic that was confirmed in the reverse fixture with a 3-1 Monégasque win.

The XI 👥

To start this 19th matchday of Ligue 1, Sébastien Pocognoli fielded a 4-4-2 formation with an attacking duo of George Ilenikhena and Folarin Balogun. Back from the Africa Cup of Nations, Lamine Camara returned alongside Denis Zakaria in midfield, while Wout Faes started in defense alongside Thilo Kehrer.

The scenario 🎞

In a sold-out Stade Océane, packed with 200 Monaco supporters, Rassoul Ndiaye ignited the first spark, but his shot went wide (2nd minute). The same fate befell Maghnes Akliouche’s half-volley a few moments later (8th minute). After these two opportunities, the match lost some of its intensity, and it wasn’t until the half-hour mark that a long-range effort was attempted by Folarin Balogun, saved by Lionel Mpasi (29′).

A first half with AS Monaco having the upper hand

The Rouge et Blanc then pushed to find the fault and an effort by Kassoum Ouattara sailed over the bar (35′). Following this action, the referee did not award a penalty after consulting VAR due to an offside call against George Ilenikhena. This incident, however, did not deter AS Monaco, who pressed forward again, and the young striker sent a header just wide of the Le Havre post (41′).

More Monégasque chances!

Dominant but with the match still scoreless at halftime, Monaco saw Loïc Nego’s first-time shot sail over the bar shortly after the restart (49′). Lamine Camara responded five minutes later, but his shot also went wide (54′). Immediately afterward, Sébastien Pocognoli brought on Vanderson and Ansu Fati to try and make a difference (57′), but it was Aleksandr Golovin who came closest with a shot across goal that wasn’t quite curled enough (64′).

Monaco continued to press, and Denis Zakaria’s shot went just wide of Lionel Mpasi’s goal (73′), then Folarin Balogun’s fine strike was tipped away for a corner by the Le Havre goalkeeper (76′). Having been largely untroubled until then, the Rouge et Blanc were nevertheless close to conceding when Noam Omougou’s header was cleared off the line by Vanderson (80′).

Now it’s time for Juventus

After this dangerous situation, AS Monaco regained possession but unfortunately couldn’t find a way through the Le Havre defense, which was well-organized in its own half. This 19th matchday of Ligue 1 therefore ended in a goalless draw. Now, attention turns to the crucial Champions League match against Juventus this Wednesday (9 PM), at the Stade Louis-II, where they will aim to secure their place in the play-offs.

Key moments 🎥

2′: Ndiaye’s shot goes wide of Köhn’s goal. 8′: Akliouche’s half-volley from the edge of the box goes over the bar. 29′: Balogun’s right-footed shot from 20 meters is saved by Mpasi. 35′: Ouattara’s shot from inside the six-yard box goes over the bar. 37′: Penalty denied to AS Monaco due to Ilenikhena being offside. 41;: Ilenikhena’s header goes just wide of Mpasi’s post. 48;: Nego’s first-time shot goes over the bar. 54′: Balogun lays the ball back to Camara, whose shot goes wide. 64′: Golovin’s shot is not curled enough. 73′: Zakaria’s shot goes wide of Mpasi’s goal. 77′: Mpasi makes a save on a good shot from Balogun. 80′: Vanderson clears the ball off the line after a header from Obougou.

🗓️ Match details:

Saturday January 24 2026 (19:00) – Stade Océane

Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Matchday 19: Le Havre 0-0 AS Monaco

Halftime: 0-0

Bookings: Ouattara (21′), Balogun (78′), Kehrer (85′) for’AS Monaco

Le Havre: Mpasi – Nego, Sangante (cap), Seko, Zouaoui (Koffi, 65′) – Ndiaye (Kechta, 93′), Ebonog, Gourna-Douath – Mambimbi (Obougou, 65′) – Samatta (Soumaré, 46′), Quetant (Boufal, 65′)

Substitutes: Argney, Doucouré, Koffi, Pembele, Boufal, Kechta, Mosengo, Obougou, Soumaré

Manager: Didier Digard

AS Monaco: Köhn – Ouattara (Vanderson, 57′), Kehrer, Faes (Dier, 29′), Teze (71′), C.Henrique – Akliouche, Zakaria (cap), Camara, Golovin – Ilenikhena (Fati, 57′), Balogun