Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 5, 22/09/24
AS Monaco backed up their midweek UEFA Champions League triumph over Barcelona with a hard-fought victory over Le Havre AC (3-1), which puts them joint-top of Ligue 1.
The Match
It looked like it would be a comfortable afternoon for Monaco, who were dominant in the opening exchanges and took an early lead through Jordan Teze, who latched onto Takumi Minamino’s across goal to net his first for his new club. Perhaps Monaco thought it would be comfortable too because they decreased their intensity, which allowed Le Havre a route back into the match.
Having gained a foothold in the game, Les Ciel et Marines gained in confidence and got their equaliser on the half-hour mark through Daler Kuzyayev. There was no immediate reaction from Monaco as both sides headed back to the dressing room level at a muted Stade Louis II.
Things almost got worse for the Principality club. Casimir thought he had given Le Havre the lead after latching onto Yassine Kechta’s brilliant through ball, but the goal was disallowed for a very marginal offside by VAR. Monaco would make the most of that reprieve, albeit not immediately.
As the half continued, Les Monégasques’ press became more organised and more aggressive. Wilfried Singo pressed well to win the ball back and feed substitute Eliesse Ben Seghir, whose effort from the edge of the box found the top corner. Monaco’s third also came from some good pressing, this time from Denis Zakaria, who having stolen it off the toes of Oussama Targhaline, fed George Ilenikhena, whose pass into the box was finished first time by Folarin Balogun. A much-needed goal for the USMNT forward, who got his first of the season.
The quick-fire double knocked the wind out of Le Havre, who fall to back-to-back defeats in Ligue 1, whilst Monaco avoid the European hangover to go level on points with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the table.
Monaco player ratings
Philipp Köhn – 4
Caio Henrique – 5
Thilo Kehrer – 6
Jordan Teze – 7
Wilfried Singo – 7
Another strong performance from the Ivory Coast international both defensively and offensively. It was his interception high in the Le Havre half and driving run that allowed Les Monégasques to unblock the organised and compact Ciel et Marine defence.
Aleksandr Golovin – 5
Lamine Camara – 4
Replaced by Eliesse Ben Seghir (7) at half-time, who made his impact, netting Monaco’s second sublimely.
Soungoutou Magassa – 3
He made an error early in the encounter and struggled to recover from it and get his game back on track. Having also picked up a booking in the first half, he made it easy for Hütter to change him at the break. His replacement, Denis Zakaria (6), brought his authority to the midfield, something that was sorely lacking in the first half, and it was his intervention that led to Monaco’s third goal.
Takumi Minamino – 5
Folarin Balogun – 6
Despite his lack of goals, Balogun has played well this season, especially in build-up and in terms of his defensive work. Those strengths were once again on show, but it looked like being another afternoon where the goal escaped him. However, despite missing chances, he kept going and was rewarded. His finish was instinctive and should allow him to recover some of that confidence in front of goal that has deserted him in recent weeks.
George Ilenikhena – 5
Selected Le Havre player ratings
Josué Casimir – 6
Abdoulaye Touré – 6
Yassine Kechta – 7
With Le Havre on the back foot for much of the campaign, he found touches limited but he used what little possession he did have to brilliant effect, putting through two brilliant through balls. One was finished by Casimir, only for a tight offside to deny him.
Daler Kuzyayev – 6
GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco
Photo credit: AS Monaco / Icon Sport
