Late Thilo Kehrer goal solidifies Monaco's qualification chances
Match Reports
Before the game, Adi Hütter's side sat fourth in the UEFA Champions League rankings, with a positive result potentially edging the principality side potentially ever-closer towards qualification for the elimination phase of the tournament.
The hosts got the first opportunity of the game, as Miranda fired over the bar from the left edge of the six-yard box. Les Monégasques went a few inches from opening the scoring when Breel Embolo spinned his man and went one on one with Lucasz Skorupski, but his strike was saved brilliantly by the Bologna keeper onto his left post. A driving run from Giovanni Fabian threatened the Monaco defence, and the attacking midfielder's strike had to be blocked by Mawisssa.
Monaco thought they opened the scoring when Wilfred Singo rose highest from the corner to head home, yet his header impeded Skorupski's gloves as he jumped to pluck the ball out of the air (19'). Embolo got another golden opportunity: the swiss international was threaded through on goal, but a brilliant tackle from the Bolognese defence stopped the striker right at the last second.
Aleksander Golovin curled a lovely strike from a 30-yard free-kick, but the keeper once again pulled out an impressive stop. It was then Bologna's turn to have the ball in the back of the net via a lovely finish from Santiago Castro, but the assistant referee raised his flag for offside on Miranda, Akliouche then twisted and turned the Bologna defence but his centrally-hit strike was once again saved marvellously by Skorupski.
Monaco strike late in the second half
Bologna majorly improved after they came out the dressing room for the second half and got the first chance of the second half with Lucemi heading over the bar from a corner. The hosts put on the pressure, and Fabbian wriggled his way into the box and fired straight at Majecki. Monaco insisted once more on the ball, but they struggled to get back into their passing rhythm which saw them on top in the first half.
After what was a timid second-half showing, Adi Hütter's men would finally push in the last five minutes for a late goal. Their late assault proved fruitful, as the Principality side were poked ahead by Thilo Kehrer, who latched onto Breel Embolo's deft header from the corner (87'). As the away side wheeled away to the pocket of Monaco supporters that travelled to the Italian peninsula, buoyed by an increased likelihood of qualifying for the elimination phase.
THE STAT: HISTORY IN THE UCL FOR MONACO
AS Monaco now count 10 points after their first four matches in the UEFA Champions League this season: It is their best start in the competition. They've also become the first French side apart from PSG to have ten points from four matches in the Champions League since Olympique Lyonnais in the 2009-2010.
MATCH REACTION: Akliouche, Singo, & Hütter
Magnhes Akliouche: "We knew it wouldn't be an easy game, it was difficult to construct our play - but the goal compensated out efforts. We have to take it step by step, and we have to keep our feet on the ground. We showed our values that we didn't show in our last match (against Angers)."
Wilfred Singo: "It was the work of the team and the work of the group that got us the win. We were very motivated after two defeats in the league."
Monaco coach Adi Hütter: "The game takes 90 minutes, always when we score at the end of the game it's a bit lucky. We deserved to win this game in the first half. Second half Bologna showed us they were strong. But we are really happy to have 10 points out of four games. It was a really big step."
"The most important thing is the team showed a reaction after the defeat to Angers. We are one of the youngest teams in the Champions League so I'm really proud of what they showed in their reaction."
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