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Match Reports

Monaco pegged back away to Angers

Despite taking the lead, AS Monaco were pegged back late on against Angers SCO, in a match that marked Sébastien Pocognoli's debut on the Monégasques' bench.
E. DEVIN
Published on 10/18/2025 at 19:00
2-minute read
Folarin Balogun scored off the bench for AS Monaco

Despite taking the lead, AS Monaco were pegged back late on against Angers SCO, in a match that marked Sébastien Pocognoli's debut on the Monégasques' bench. Get the latest with our match report.

A nervy encounter

While Pocognoli was making his debut, he would have to counter the same injury issues as his predecessor Adi Hütter, with the first-choice midfield duo of Denis Zakaria and Lamine Camara still absent -- along with defenders Eric Dier, Christian Mawissa and Vanderson. Playing a three-man defence from the off, with Mika Biereth on his own in attack, Monaco struggled to create much in the match's opening minutes.

Indeed, it was Angers who had the lion's share of chances in the first half with a volley by Louis Mouton flashing wide (24') and the midfielder then turning provider for Prosper Peter, only to see the young striker fire a header off-target. Monaco responded as Ansu Fati and Biereth combined, but the Spanish winger couldn't get a shot away. Indeed, the best chance of the half fell to Himad Abdelli, whose shot at a corner was cleared off the line by Jordan Teze.

Cherif helps Le Sco snatch a point!

The match's second half thus kicked off scoreless, and it would come down to substitutes to make the difference -- although not before a few further thrills and spills. Monaco had the second half's first clear chance, again from a corner, but Fati failed to turn the ball in after a corner. Moments later, Amine Sbaï struck the post, as Philipp Köhn was spared his blushes. 

Into the match's final twenty minutes, both coaches had made changes, and Monaco began to gain the upper hand, with Hervé Koffi keeping out both Krépin Diatta and Folarin Balogun. The American wouldn't be denied at the second time of asking, though, combining with fellow substitute Takumi Minamino to give his side the lead (72'). Angers would have a response though, snatching a point through their own substitute, the teenage forward Sidiki Cherif, who scored the first goal of his Ligue 1 McDonald's to give his side a vital point.

With the result, Angers remain in the bottom two, but level on points with three other sides, while Monaco drop to fifth ahead of Lens and Lille playing tomorrow evening. 

The Stat: 7

AS Monaco have had seven goals scored from the bench in Ligue 1 McDonald's, the best total in Europe's top five leagues.  

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