Monaco United opened their 2026 campaign with a performance that left little room for doubt about their ambitions. In a match defined by consequence and clarity, the Monégasque side overwhelmed Carros, their closest rival in the promotion race, to take sole possession of first place in the standings.
The encounter, staged at the Didier Deschamps Stadium, was more than a routine league fixture. Before kickoff, Monaco United and Carros were level on points at the top of the table, separated only by goal difference. The match therefore carried decisive weight: it offered one team the opportunity to break free and assert control at the summit.
A large home crowd gathered to witness what already felt like a pivotal moment in the season. The occasion also allowed Monaco United’s president and head coach, Marco Simone, to integrate winter signings into the lineup, with several new arrivals receiving significant playing time, some from the opening whistle.
The match began with an early shock. Carros struck first, briefly silencing the stadium and testing Monaco United’s composure. The response, however, was immediate and emphatic. Monaco United raised their intensity, pressing relentlessly and generating a series of chances that signaled a shift in momentum.
The equalizer arrived in the 16th minute, when Marina Makanza brought the hosts level and ignited what followed. From that point forward, Monaco United took full control of the match. Their dominance was reflected both in possession and efficiency, as they pulled away decisively before halftime. By the break, the score stood at 4 - 1, a margin that accurately mirrored their superiority across the pitch.
“We misread certain moments of the first half, probably due to our desire to impose our game immediately, as well as a bit of tension linked to the importance of the match,” Simone said afterward. “That’s completely natural, as the players were fully aware of the need to secure all three points.” He added that “overall, the performance was positive, both statistically and in terms of our style of play.”
If there was any expectation of a slowdown after halftime, it was quickly dispelled. Monaco United resumed with the same attacking intent, scoring again shortly after the restart to put the contest beyond reach. Their dominance only intensified as the second half unfolded, marked by near-total control of the ball and sustained pressure in Carros’ half.
With the outcome no longer in doubt, the coaching staff used the opportunity to rotate the squad extensively, allowing a broad group of players to contribute. The goals continued to come, and the final scoreline - 10 - 1 - stood as a stark testament to a collective performance executed with precision and ambition.
Among the central figures was Sarah Magnier, a key component of Monaco United’s system and one of the architects of the victory. “We prepared well for this match, just like all the others,” she said. “I’m happy to help the team by being decisive - whether through winning my duels, scoring goals or providing assists. Physically, I feel very good. Feeling useful to the team is extremely rewarding. I’m very comfortable within this group, which allows me to thrive and perform.”
The match was also attended by Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace & Sport, Monaco United’s official partner, who came to support the team and acknowledge the work carried out since the beginning of the season.
Beyond the immediate result, the performance underscored broader progress. The team displayed well-established automatisms, and the winter signings appeared seamlessly integrated into the collective structure. The second-half objective, Simone noted beforehand, was not merely to protect the lead but to continue playing ambitious, attractive football. Monaco United did exactly that.
The victory leaves Monaco United alone at the top of the league, with a significantly superior goal difference and a newly opened gap over Carros, their main direct rival. For Simone, the assessment of the season so far extends beyond numbers. “Beyond the results, the primary objective was to establish a mindset and a genuine playing philosophy that represent the club’s DNA: winning, but doing so with style,” he said.
Magnier echoed that sentiment, emphasizing continuity. “The automatisms are becoming stronger and stronger,” she said. “This win gives us even more confidence, which also helps our new signings feel comfortable within the group. It’s up to us to maintain this momentum until the end of the season.”
For Monaco United, the day unfolded as close to perfect as possible. Yet caution remains part of the message from the technical staff. “This victory is very important,” Simone concluded. “It puts us in a position that we obviously need to maintain until the end of the season. But without doing calculations or thinking the championship is already over, because the entire second half of the season is still to be played.”
Promotion to Régionale 1 remains the clear objective. After this emphatic statement, Monaco United move forward with ambition, serenity, and renewed conviction that their path is firmly in their own hands.
Photo credits: Dylan Garino