In a thrilling match, the Rouge et Blanc and Wissam Ben Yedder, scorer of a double, conceded at the very end of the game on a counter-attack concluded by Malick Fofana (3-2).
What a pity! Quickly in front then trailing by a goal at the break, our Rouge et Blanc thought they would get a draw thanks to Wissam Ben Yedder's 115th goal in Monegasque colors. But on a counter at the end of the game, they conceded, losing 3-2. It was a result which does not, however, prevent them from retaining second place in the table.
The context After a perfect start to the week with wins inBrest (0-2) and against Lille (1-0), two direct competitors for the Champions League, AS Monaco was aiming for another in in in Lyon. A success would then bring them a little closer to their designated objective: second place. We had to be wary all the same since the Rhone side have been in good form since the arrival of Pierre Sage (34 points from 18 matches).
We know it will be a big game on Sunday. They started the season badly and made several coaching changes. Since the arrival of Pierre Sage, they have been in very good form and have taken 34 points like us. We are going to play in a big stadium, with a great atmosphere against a historic club, my team likes to play this type of match.
The eleven As the saying goes: you don't change a winning team. It is therefore with this in mind that Adi Hutter decided to renew the winning XI that had daced Lille, for this big match of the 31st round against OL. We thus saw the team line up in a 4-4-2 with the flanks occupied by Vanderson and Krepin Diatta, while Folarin Balogun and Wissam Ben Yedder lead the Monegasque attack. Guillermo Maripan would celebrate his 150th match in the Monegasque jersey.
The scenario In the pouring rain, the Monegasques did not waste time and on their first attack led by Maghnes Akliouche, Wissam Ben Yedder was found at the far post, and finished from close range (1). Although initially disallowed for offside position, VAR ultimately awarded the goal, allowing the captain to score for the 12th time this season.
Apres 22 secondes de jeu
1' | 0-1 #OLASM pic.twitter.com/F2QXK6p4EA
- AS Monaco (@AS_Monaco) April 28, 2024
Back to back goals for the hosts The Rouge et Blanc were playing well and were close to doubling the lead through Folarin Balogun but he was found to be offside (15). Then it was the turn of Youssouf Fofana, who had previously scored against Lille, to take a chance with a floating shot that was difficult for Anthony Lopes to keep out (19). Against the run of play, AS Monaco then unfortunately conceded an equalizer to Alexandre Lacazette (22), before falling behind after a goal by Said Benrahma (26).
Lyon prend l'avantage.
26' | 2-1 #OLASM
- AS Monaco (@AS_Monaco) April 28, 2024
Captain' Wiss, drawing level with Lucien Cossou It was a game-saving save since only two minutes later, Wissam Ben Yedder equalized with a diving header, taking on a perfect cross from Youss' (61). It was also a goal of great symbolic value since he became the second-top scorer in the history of the Club, level with Lucien Cossou (115 each).
Le double du Capi' sur un ballon magnifique de Youssouf
61' | 2-2 #OLASM pic.twitter.com/AyCKOdbPhS
- AS Monaco (@AS_Monaco) April 28, 2024
He even came close to moving alone into second place almost straight away but his left-footed shot was overhit and only flirted with Anthony Lopes' post (62). The Rouge et Blanc dominated the ball and the Lyonnais played more on the counterattack. It was a strategy which failed to pay off for Rayan Cherki but fortunately the latter shot over from six meters (72).
The Monegasques caught on the counter The reply came two minutes later by Breel Embolo, whose header was captured by the opposing goalkeeper (74), before Wissam Ben Yedder thought he had his hat-trick with a volley into the top corner but he was flagged slightly offside (78).
This was an unfortunate turn of events as they would be caught out on a counterattack concluded by Malick Fofana, beating Radek' (84), who allowed us to maintain hope by intervening at his near post on a strike from Lacazette (87).
Lyon prend l'avantage.
83' | 3-2 #OLASM
- AS Monaco (@AS_Monaco) April 28, 2024
Get back to winning ways against Clermont Certainly tired from the two matches already played this week against Brest (0-2) and Lille (1-0), they failed to come back again, ultimately losing 3-2 at Groupama Stadium. Despite this first away defeat since November, the Rouge et Blanc retained second place, two points ahead of Bres. The team will be back in action Saturday at the Stade Louis-II against bottom side Clermont (17:00) where they'll hope to rebound. Daghe les gars!
Apres huit matches sans defaite, nos Rouge & Blanc s'inclinent a Lyon.
Il faudra vite repartir de l'avant samedi prochain avec la reception de Clermont
3-2 #OLASM pic.twitter.com/qKMx6eDrDe
- AS Monaco (@AS_Monaco) April 28, 2024
Key moments 1s: Ben Yedder opens the scoring after a fine bit of play (0-1)15: A goal is denied to Balogun for offside19: A floating strike by Fofana is punched clear by Lopes22: Lyon equalize through Lacazette (1-1)26: A second Lyon goal by Benrahma (2-1)54: A diving header by Lacazette flashes over56: A powerful strike by Fofana is deflected for a corner59: Majecki beats Benrahma in a one-on-one61: A double for Ben Yedder who heads home a cross from Fofana (2-2)62: Ben Yedder's effort is overhit72: Cherki's attempt goes over the bar76: Lopes saves from Embolo's header78: A goal is denied Ben Yedder for a slight offside84: Lyon counter-attack and Fofana finishes (3-2)87: Majecki makes a big save at his near post
Match details: Sunday April 28 - Groupama Stadium
Ligue 1 - Matchday 31: Olympique Lyonnais 3-2 AS Monaco
Halftime: 2-1
Goals: Lacazette (22), Benrahma (26), Fofana (84) for Lyon; Ben Yedder (1, 61) for AS Monaco
Bookings: Benrahma (38) for Lyon; Minamino (25), Ouattara (47), Diatta (69) for AS Monaco
Olympique Lyonnais: Lopes - Maitland-Niles, O'Brien, Caleta-Car, Mata - Matic - Nuamah (Fofana, 66), Caqueret, Tolisso, Benrahma (Cherki, 66) - Lacazette (Balde, 90+2)
Substitutes: Perri, Adryelson, Henrique, Lovren, Cherki, Mangala, Balde, Fofana, Orban
Manager: Pierre Sage
AS Monaco: Majecki - Vanderson (Ouattara, 46), Maripan (Salisu, 46), Kehrer, Diatta - Akliouche, Fofana, Zakaria, Minamino - Balogun (Embolo, 46), Ben Yedder
Substitutes: Kohn, C.Henrique, Ouattara, Salisu, Camara, Coulibaly, Diop, Magassa, Embolo
Manager: Adi Hutter