On the finish of a suspenseful recreation, after main all the match due to Wilfried Singo, the Rouge et Blanc gained towards the Villans (1-0), punching their ticket for the Champions League play-offs.
Subsequent cease: the play-offs! After a really critical match towards an excellent Aston Villa staff, the AS Monaco gamers gained (1-0) to safe their place within the knockout spherical of the Champions League. It was a top-flight efficiency to completely kick off the yr 2025 at dwelling, beneath the eyes of HSH Prince Albert II and President Dmitry Rybolovlev, who have been current on the Stade Louis-II, a President Rybolovlev who got here to the locker room after the match to congratulate the Rouge et Blanc for the battle they confirmed and for this nice response. ✍️
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The context 📅
At present in a troublesome run of kind, the Rouge et Blanc wished to grab a possibility to bounce again towards the Villans for 2 causes: to win for the primary time in 2025 and likewise to punch their ticket for at the least the play-offs of this Champions League. It was a mission that promised to be tough, towards the present fifth-place facet, who had notably overwhelmed Bayern Munich on this section of the league, and has simply drawn within the Premier League (2-2).
We’re going up towards a Premier League staff that has been constantly on the prime of the desk in latest seasons. And despite the fact that Arsenal have been the higher staff this weekend, they managed to attract after being 2-0 down by scoring two nice targets on the Emirates. Additionally they have an excellent coach in Unai Emery, who has gained the Europa League 4 occasions with Sevilla (3) and Villarreal (1).
The XI 👥
To face this main problem, welcomed the returns of his captain and Wilfried Singo to the beginning eleven, lined up in a traditional 4-2-3-1. Singo took his place in central protection alongside Thilo Kehrer, whereas began at left again. Lastly the trio of Maghnes – Takumi – Eliesse performed in assist of the Monégasque #36.
The state of affairs 🎞
The match began at a Champions League tempo, with a primary harmful foray ahead by the English (6′). However obtained a nook which discovered the top of Thilo Kehrer, which Emiliano Martinez may solely push to , who was sharp to react (1-0, 8′)! It was an early objective for the Rouge et Blanc, and the second within the Champions League for the Ivorian .
Akliouche is near a second
This objective galvanized our Monégasques as was even near providing organising his buddy additionally educated on the Academy, who compelled the Argentinian goalkeeper into an enormous save (15′). However the Villans reacted, first from Morgan Rogers (18′), then on a direct free kick by Lucas Digne (31′). It was then lastly Leon Bailey who was near scoring, however his curling effort was punched clear by a vigilant (37′).
Clear possibilities on either side
Half-time was lastly whistled after two superb possibilities: Ollie Watkins noticed his shot throughout objective deflected by Radeck (45 + 3′), earlier than Maghnes Akliouche missed the goal on a ball in from Takumi Minamino (45 + 4′). The restart was additionally eventful, with a really clear probability for Rogers, whose exterior of the boot effort grazed the left submit (47′). Then Maghnes Akliouche, earlier than being flagged offside, almost doubled the lead (50′).
Le however de Maghnes refusé pour hors-jeu.
49′ | 1⃣-0⃣
New vitality from the bench
The probabilities got here each other earlier than the hour mark and thru the primary modifications, however Matty Money’s header didn’t deceive the Monaco goalkeeper (59th). and then provided contemporary blood and the Russian winger had an effort from vary which was caught by Mings (74′). There was then no extra success for Breel Embolo in an acrobatic effort from a nook (75′).
Qualification and an explosion of pleasure!
The stress was sturdy as added time approached, even when Golo’ got here near killing all suspense however solely discovered the facet netting (89′). However the final English try was from Durán and it modified nothing, and AS Monaco had a vital victory towards Aston Villa, synonymous with qualification for the knockouts of the Champions League. DAGHE MUNEGU!!! 🇲🇨
Key moments 🎥
6′: Digne crosses however Bailey’s header is caught by Majecki7′: Akliouche’s shot is deflected by Konsa for a corner8′: Singo opens the scoring with a header after a deflection by Martinez on a nook (1-0)15′: Ben Seghir cuts the ball again to Akliouche who forces Martinez right into a diving save18′: Rogers’ shot goes over the crossbar31′: Digne’s free kick is caught by Majecki37′: Bailey’s curling efforrt is punched clear by Majecki for a corner45+3′: Watkins has a one-on-one with Majecki who retains it out with a agency hand45+4′: Minamino performs in Akliouche who doesn’t discover the target47′: Watkins finds Rogers on the best who overhits his exterior of the boot effort50′: Vanderson crosses for Akliouche who scores however from an offside position59′: Money’s header on the far submit is stopped by Majecki75′: Golovin has a superb run however is blocked by Mings76′: Embolo’s acrobatic effort from a nook is caught by Martinez89′: Golovin’s highly effective shot finds the facet netting93′: Durán’s acrobatic volley is over the bar
The stat 📊
Wilfried Singo turned the primary participant to attain a objective within the Champions League in January since Giovanni Sacco with Juventus towards Eintracht Braunschweig on January 31, 1968. AS Monaco will even stay the primary French membership in historical past to win a Champions League match in January.
🗓️ Match particulars:
Tuesday, January 21 (18:45) – Stade Louis-II
🇪🇺 Champions League – Matchday 7: AS Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa
Halftime: 1-0
Objectives: Singo (8′) for AS Monaco
Bookings: Golovin (92′) for AS Monaco; Digne (49′) Rogers (82′) and Kamara (92′) for Aston Villa
AS Monaco: Majecki – Vanderson, Singo, Kehrer, Mawissa – Camara (Magassa, 64′), Zakaria © (Teze, 79′) – Akliouche, Minamino (Michal, 78′), Ben Seghir (Golovin, 65′) – Embolo