PLAYER RATINGS | Monaco 2-0 Montpellier: Takumi Minamino scores as Monaco return to winning ways
Ligue 1, Round 14, 03/12/23
AS Monaco returned to winning ways in an exciting and open match against Montpellier HSC (2-0). Takumi Minamino and Wissam Ben Yedder got on the scoresheet for Les Monégasques.
After local rivals OGC Nice slipped up against FC Nantes the night before, Monaco had the chance to close the gap. Ad Hütter’s side have failed to convince in recent weeks and were therefore in need of points, but also the performance to match.
Monaco started well, controlled possession and deservedly took the lead in just the ninth minute. Ismail Jakobs did well down the left and found Vanderson with a good plan across the edge of the box. The Brazilian cut inside and drove a shot at Benjamin Lecomte. The former Monégasque shot-stopper could only parry and it was Minamino who reacted quickest to steer in the rebound.
Whilst Vanderson played a key role in the opener, who was almost responsible for the equaliser. He tried to be too clever when running back to goal and instead of playing the ball back to Philipp Köhn, he tried to dribble away from Musa Al-Taamari, who telegraphed the run and dispossessed. Köhn had to pull off a good save with his foot to keep the scores level.
Montpellier continued to look dangerous on the counter and Monaco looked ill-suited to dealing with it. Hütter labelled MHSC as “the best counter-attacking team in Ligue 1″ pre-match and they lived up to that reputation. The absence of Youssouf Fofana, ruled out through illness just hours before the game, certainly told and Mohamed Camara in particular was easily bypassed on multiple occasions as Montpellier carved the homeside open.
If not for some last-ditch heroics, Monaco could have gone in behind. Wilfried Singo, who was excellent throughout,
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