Monaco logically defeated the Serbs Red Star Belgrade (5-1) on Tuesday at the Stade Louis-II for the third day of the Champions League, thanks in particular to Breel Embolo’s first goal of the season.
This large victory allows Monaco to have seven points in the competition. However, this very good start does not yet bode well for a future qualification. The Monegasques must, in fact, be able to glean points in Bologna, on November 5 during the 4th day. Subsequently, the last four days will be complicated, with the receptions of Benfica Lisbon and Aston Villa, as well as trips to London and Milan, against Arsenal and Inter.
In the meantime, Adi Hütter’s men produced a very clean performance on Tuesday evening, despite a first period thwarted by a penalty conceded following an error in judgment by Singo (1-1, 27th). But the latter made up for it magnificently after the break by scoring, with a fantastic strike into the top corner, a goal of great beauty, which allowed Monaco to take off (3-1, 54th).
Louis-II had the air of a small Marakana, the Belgrade stadium, as the 1000 Serbian supporters in the park, and at least as many in the rest of the enclosure since they were allowed to buy tickets on site, put a great atmosphere.
However, this did not impress the Monegasques who, faithful to their principles, have, like the Vanderson-Ben Seghir-Akliouche triplet, instilled a lot of pressure from the start.
Doubled by Minamino
Arranged in a middle block, then low, the Serbs were content with a minimalist game, made of long balls thrown at the Senegalese Cherif Ndiaye, alone at the forefront and bitter in his duel with Singo.
But the Monegasques logically opened the scoring with Minamino (1-0, 20th). Served by Vanderson, the Japanese, alone in the axis and covered on the left by Silas, poorly aligned, beat the goalkeeper with a quiet flat of the right foot.
Monaco thought they had done the hardest part. But Singo missed an opening intended for Ndiaye, who was cut down by Tilo Kehrer. The sanction was inevitable. Ndiaye equalized with a strong penalty (1-1, 27th).
If it took a moment for Embolo and his cronies to raise their heads, it was the Swiss who led the charge a few seconds before half-time. Served by Ben Seghir, he deviated for Minamino. Serbian captain Uros Spajic intervened, and involuntarily passed on Embolo, whose cross recovery without control of the right hit the mark (2-1, 45th + 4).
With the return of Aleksandr Golovin at the break in place of Ben Seghir, Monaco then gained further control. And after the 3-1 signed Singo, the opportunities kept coming. An Embolo goal was canceled by video assistance (VAR, 56th). Akliouche (66th) and Golovin (72nd) shot the post.
In the meantime, Minamino concluded a collective action well carried out by Akliouche and Embolo (4-1, 70th). And Akliouche closed the feast with his special from the left (5-1, 90th + 6).
Building on their 11th unbeaten match of the season (8 in L1, 3 in C1), the Monegasques can now focus their attention on the short but perilous trip to Nice on Sunday for a derby which promises to be electric.
