In a thrilling clash filled with drama, AS Monaco's unbeaten start to the Ligue 1 season came to an abrupt end with a 2-1 loss to OGC Nice. The derby match, held at Stade Louis II, was particularly challenging for the home team, who found themselves down to ten players just before halftime.
Match Overview
Coach Adi Hutter fielded a formidable lineup, despite needing to make a last-minute substitution when Denis Zakaria was replaced by Soungoutou Magassa. The match began energetically, with Monaco asserting dominance early on. They almost took the lead when Takumi Minamino's effort was cleared off the line, and Breel Embolo thought he had scored, only to have his goal disallowed for offside.
Both teams created chances, but it was the two Polish goalkeepers, Radoslaw Majecki for Monaco and Marcin Bulka for Nice, who stood strong, keeping the match scoreless until the 39th minute. Embolo finally broke the deadlock, finding the net after a clever setup from Maghnes Akliouche.
However, the joy was short-lived as Nice equalized just before the break through Evann Guessand. Adding to Monaco’s woes, Vanderson was shown a second yellow card after a skirmish, leaving his team to face the second half with a numerical disadvantage.
Despite being a player down, Monaco showcased their resilience and determination throughout the second half. Though Nice controlled possession and created more chances, Monaco remained a threat, with Lamine Camara striking the woodwork in the 57th minute.
The turning point came from an unfortunate mistake by Krepin Diatta, whose underhit back pass allowed Gaetan Laborde to chip Majecki and put Nice ahead. Monaco pushed for an equalizer, with attempts from Embolo and Eliesse Ben Seghir, but they couldn’t find the breakthrough.
Hutter's Thoughts
In his post-match analysis, Hutter expressed disappointment, emphasizing, “We were in control of the game but made crucial mistakes that cost us. We need to address our discipline; too many red cards are harming our campaign.” He acknowledged Monaco's strong performance in the first half and lamented the missed opportunities.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, Monaco maintained a majority of possession and passed effectively in the opposition half, reflecting their attacking prowess. They now turn their attention to their upcoming match against Angers, eager to bounce back and return to winning ways after this frustrating derby loss.