Tops

Eliesse Ben Seghir sounds the revolt

Discreet, then doubly decisive. Little in evidence in the first half, in an inside left-wing role, Eliesse Ben Seghir was much more at ease after the break, once refocused. Closer to the opposition goal, he was able to make the difference. It was he who won and (calmly) converted the penalty on 79 minutes.^e minute to equalize. And it was he, again, who gave his team the lead at the end of normal time, on a (new) rapid transition (89^e). AS Monaco can thank him!

Guéla Doué, decisive defender

A daring attempt…that paid off. Just before the half-hour mark, following a left-wing cross to the far post, Guéla Doué inherited the ball in the penalty area. With a little technical skill – a feint of the rake – he outwitted Eliesse Ben Seghir before bursting forward…and firing home from a tight angle. A magnificent inspiration, but not enough to earn RC Strasbourg Alsace all three points.

Related articles
Strasbourg-Monaco: the film of the match

Flops

Diego Moreira’s handiwork

AS Monaco couldn’t have asked for more. Trailing at the break, they pushed forward in the second half to equalize. And in the last quarter of an hour, after a throw-in and a cross from Takumi MinaminoEliesse Ben Seghir tried to take the ball into the penalty area…but his hand was saved by Diego Moreira on the line. The Moroccan converted the penalty to put his team back in front (79′).^e). The Strasbourg striker – or piston – must be blaming himself because he could probably have stopped the ball with another part of his body.

The RC Strasbourg Alsace explosion

A catastrophic end to the game. Just as they had secured all three points at home, the RC Strasbourg Alsace literally exploded in the last quarter of an hour. First, they conceded an avoidable penalty in the 79th minute.^e minute; an opportunity that AS Monaco took advantage of. Then, at the end of normal time, the Alsatians were caught out (as they often are in this match) at their backs on a quick transition. Eliesse Ben Seghir took advantage to give his team the lead (89^e). And if that wasn’t enough, on the ensuing kick-off, the men from Liam Rosenior lost the ball and set up George Ilenikhena’s third goal (90^e+1).

Radoslaw Majecki at fault

A fatal error. Radoslaw Majecki, who had performed well throughout the game, made a costly error in positioning the ball. Shortly before the half-hour mark, when Guéla Doué broke down the right, the Monegasque keeper (slightly) anticipated a cross… Except that the Strasbourg defender finally decided to try his luck from a tight angle. The ball flew between the Polish goalkeeper and his left-hand post, ending up in the back of the net.

Breel Embolo ineffective

Breel Embolo was once again at the forefront of AS Monaco’s attack on Saturday afternoon, Breel Embolo disappointed (again). The Swiss striker was certainly lively and active, particularly with his numerous appeals, but he was completely lacking in realism. Twice – once from a Takumi Minamino through ball, the other from a Maghnes Akliouche cross – the Monegasque centre-forward found himself alone in front of Dorde Petrovic. And each time, he lost his duel with the Strasbourg keeper. Adi Hütter didn’t take advantage of these two missed chances, replacing him at half-time. A match to forget.