Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 6, 28/09/24
Lamine Camara scored a dramatic late winner to hand AS Monaco victory over Montpellier HSC (2-1) as the Principality club celebrated their centenary.
The Match
Monaco could have had the game wrapped up within the first 15 minutes had they been efficient in taking their chances. Unfortunately, their two big chances fell to a Breel Embolo currently lacking in confidence in front of goal. He blasted the first over after good work from Folarin Balogun before then heading straight at Dimitry Bertaud from just three yards out with the goal gaping.
They were quickly punished by Montpellier through RC Strasbourg Alsace loanee Rabby Nzingoula, who profited from good work from Arnaud Nordin and Akor Adams – it was the latter with the assist. Balogun then could have netted himself but blasted over but he did then get on the scoresheet after getting on the end of Embolo’s through ball.
MHSC went quiet for large periods and rarely threatened the Monaco goal, but then they did show the ambition to do so, they did so efficiently. Adams went close, whilst Tanguy Coulibaly, shown a late red for two yellows, was a livewire that Les Monégasques struggled to control.
The Principality club continued to create chances: Balogun hit the post after Eliesse Ben Seghir wriggled out of a tight spot down the left wing, Lamine Camara forced Bertaud into a strong save and then went close with a volleyed shot just over. Téji Savanier also went close, striking the post with one of his trademark free-kicks but it looked as though a winner would escape Monaco in particular, despite their late dominance.
But it did come and it was Camara, who worked himself into good positions continuously after coming on, who got it with his shot from the edge of the box clipping in off the post. Bertaud, so often the saviour for La Paillade could do nothing to prevent Monaco from taking all three points.
Monaco player ratings
Philipp Köhn – 4
Caio Henrique – 5
Mohammed Salisu – 6
Guilty of some poor passing out from the back, but he not only made a save off the line but also made some crucial recoveries.
Wilfried Singo – 6
Vanderson – 5
Denis Zakaria – 6
Aleksandr Golovin – 4
Eliesse Ben Seghir – 5
Maghnes Akliouche – 4
Breel Embolo – 6
The Switzerland international was incredibly wasteful in front of goal and should have had Monaco 2-0 up within 15 minutes but he is so crucial in build-up, as evidenced by his two assists on the night.
Folarin Balogun – 8
The USMNT forward is growing in confidence and got his goal, which came after an earlier miss. Last season, his head may have dropped, but even beyond the goal, his runs in behind, his defensive work and his improved link-up is making him an invaluable asset for Monaco.
Montpellier selected player ratings
Rabby Nzingoula – 7
Khalil Fayad – 5
Tanguy Coulibaly – 6
He was such a livewire down the right. Henrique struggled to contain him throughout and in transitions, he thrived.
Dimitry Bertaud – 7
Photo source: AS Monaco
