PLAYER RATINGS | Monaco 2-2 Lorient: Tiémoué Bakayoko nets last-gasp equaliser as Les Monégasques’ winless run at home continues

Ligue 1 Uber Eats, Round 26, 17/03/24

Former AS Monaco midfielder Tiémoué Bakayoko netted a last-gasp equaliser to deny Les Monégasques their first win at the Stade Louis II since 3rd December 2023 as FC Lorient secured a point that could prove crucial come the end of the season. 

Monaco haven’t won at home since 3rd December and the chances of picking up all three points against Lorient looked slim after they went behind with less than 40 seconds on the clock. Without ever getting a foot on the ball, Monaco were put under the cosh. Théo Le Bris’ brilliant reverse pass was latched onto by Mohamed Bamba, whose thunderous volley rocketed off the far post. In his attempts to clear, Wilfried Singo inadvertently headed into his own net. 

Les Monégasques had chances to respond immediately. A rare poor ball from Laurent Abergel back to goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo was intercepted by Maghnes Akliouche, who back to goal, was forced to lay off to Wissam Ben Yedder, whose close-range effort was blocked. 

Aleksandr Golovin then squandered a glorious 1-v-1 opportunity, seeing his shot saved by the feet of Mvogo before Takumi Minamino struck the foot of the post. The chances were coming thick and fast for Monaco, but they just couldn’t convert; ultimately, they wouldn’t have to with Lorient doing the job for them. 

From a harmless cross, Formose Mendy attempted to chest the ball back to Mvogo, but he misread the goalkeeper’s positioning and ultimately diverted the ball beyond Mvogo’s reach and levelled up the scores. 

Monaco’s barrage temporarily halted, but it was back up and running in the first half. Akliouche forced Mvogo into an important save before Ben Yedder missed another 1-v-1 just moments later. Les Monégasques did deservedly get their