PLAYER RATINGS | Bodø/Glimt 0-1 Monaco: Folarin Balogun earns Monaco first win of Champions League campaign | OneFootball

UEFA Champions League, Matchday 4, 04/11/25

AS Monaco edged Bodø/Glimt (0-1) to earn their first win of this season’s UEFA Champions League campaign. Folarin Balogun’s excellently taken first-half goal was the difference between the two sides.

The Match

Monaco travelled to the Arctic Circle in search of their first win in this season’s Champions League, but it was Bodø/Glimt, in search of their first-ever UCL win, who had the first chance. Sondre Auklend was played through but lost the foot race with Philipp Kohn, the Monaco goalkeeper, getting to the ball first, attracting the foul and a subsequent yellow card for his opponent. 

Les Monégasques’ first half was much like the one against Paris FC over the weekend, where they started quickly and then, in Sébastien Pocognoli’s own words, “ran out of steam”. Bodø/Glimt grew in confidence on a sodden night in northern Norway but struggled for clear-cut chances. Patrik Berg went closest, striking over the bar from outside the box. 

However, somewhat against the run of play, Monaco took the lead before the break. Maghnes Akliouche and Balogun had combined nicely in tight spaces, and they did so again, the former playing in the latter. The former Arsenal forward looked to have gone too wide, but his finish into the roof of the net was emphatic.

Monaco had a lead to protect and it needed protecting. Bodø/Glimt tested Kohn three times in the space of six minutes, with the Swiss goalkeeper’s save from Berg’s free-kick the standout. Les Monégasques were under the pump, unable to keep the ball, and so Bodø/Glimt kept coming, relentless. Kasper Hogh went close with a shot on the slide from a tight angle; Monaco were waiting for the final whistle, but the pressure did relent after Jostein Gundersen saw red for a studs-up challenge on Mika Biereth’s ankle. 

Monaco had the better chances in the final moments. Mamadou Coulibaly went close, whilst Biereth failed to exploit a favourable numerical advantage. But it was ultimately inconsequential. A big win for the Principality club, who put last weekend’s defeat to Paris FC behind them.

Monaco player ratings

Philipp Kohn – 7

One of many second-string players getting their chance due to the ongoing injury crisis, he withstood the barrage when his defence let him down. His excellent shot-stopping are in large part responsible for those three points.

Caio Henrique – 4

Mohammed Salisu – 7

Whilst the Ghanaian was at fault for playing on Auklend in the opening minutes, it was another excellent display thereafter. Dominant in the air, he won his duels and was commanding. The first-choice options will be back soon, but Salisu has certainly made an argument to play more minutes. 

Thilo Kehrer – 4

Far from the most convincing display from the captain, who was turned on many occasions. Bodø/Glimt seemed to target the space in behind the German, who was often caught when pushing into the midfield. 

Kassoum Ouattara – 6

Mamadou Coulibaly – 6

Aleksandr Golovin – 7

A return to form for Golovin, who was precious with and without the ball. He was zippy and incisive at times, too, whilst also proving diligent in his defensive work. Distribution, decision-making, it was a night where almost every decision Golovin made was the correct one.

Jordan Teze – 6

Takumi Minamino – 5

Maghnes Akliouche – 6

Folarin Balogun – 7

When Monaco were at their best, essentially in the first 15 minutes when Monaco had a spring in their step, he combined intricately with Akliouche to open up the Bodø/Glimt defence. Whilst he was quiet for long periods, he got the goal and it was a great goal, too. This was always going to be an important season for Balogun, one way or another, and he is establishing himself as the main man up front. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle