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Match Reports

Biereth nets eight-minute hat trick to lead Monaco over Auxerre

Bouncing back in style from a midweek defeat in the Champions League, AS Monaco recorded their second straight win in Ligue 1 McDonald's, drawing level on points with second place Olympique de Marseille in the process.
E. DEVIN
Published on 02/01/2025 at 20:00
2-minute read
Mika Biereth celebrates a hat trick in AS Monaco's 4-2 win over Auxerre

A nervy start

Off the back of a frustrating loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, AS Monaco returned to winning ways at home, recording a 4-2 win over AJ Auxerre at the Stade Louis-II. With the visitors having slipped towards the bottom three and the Monégasques needing a win to move closer to Marseille in second, the start to the match saw both teams on edge, with no chances coming in the first quarter of an hour. Gaëtan Perrin thought he had opened the scoring on 15 minutes, but the offside flag was up. 

Monaco would eventually get the opener -- as they so often have this season -- on a set piece, with Thilo Kehrer crashing in a corner taken by Lamine Camara. Auxerre would respond quickly, though, as Sinaly Diomandé level the score just two minutes later. It was then the eastern side who would take the lead going into the break, as Jubal scored a penalty that had initially been saved by Radoslaw Majecki.    

Biereth to the rescue

Under the cosh and needing a win, Adi Hütter made a triple change at the break, bringing on Breel Embolo, Caio Henrique and Soungoutou Magassa. It wouldn't take long for them to make an impact, either -- Embolo cleverly played in Mika Biereth after Vanderson's cutback. It was just before the hour and the match was level at two-all. 

Monaco were then quick to take the lead, Biereth getting his third goal in two matches, turning in Henrique's cross to put his side ahead. The Dane would then have his hat trick as Embolo again played provider, doubling the lead to 4-2 with less than half an hour to play. Neither side considered the result a done deal -- substitute Ado Onaiwu grazed the crossbar for Auxerre, and Embolo almost made it five for the hosts shortly thereafter.

As it was, though, Monaco ran out 4-2 winners ahead, a confidence-boosting result ahead of their clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Friday, while Auxerre are next in action at home to Toulouse FC on Sunday.   

The Stat: 11

AS Monaco have scored 11 goals from set pieces this season -- only Arsenal have scored more in Europe's Top 5 leagues this season.

Read more:

>> Mika Biereth: Monaco's Kane and Haaland hybrid

>> Dembélé hat trick powers PSG

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