Paris FC inflict first defeat of Monaco's Sébastien Pocognoli's era
AS Monaco suffered their first Ligue 1 McDonald's defeat at home this season, losing 1-0 against Paris FC.
A night of firsts in the Principality
It was a night of firsts at the Stade Louis II, and certainly not in the positive sense. It was the first Ligue 1 McDonald's defeat at home in 2025, the first of this season, only the second in the whole calendar year in all competitions, and the first of the Sébastien Pocognoli reign.
Chances were at a premium all match long, but especially in the first half. Aleksandr Golovin shot just wide (4') in the opening exchanges. Mohammed Salisu, in goalscoring form in recent weeks and scorer of the only goal in the win over Toulouse one week ago, then went close with a header at the back post, but he couldn't beat Kevin Trapp.
MOSES SIMON 🇳🇬🦅 pic.twitter.com/UKiyloouhd
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 1, 2025
"I think that we started well, with a clear vision of what we wanted to do and with intensity," reacted Pocognoli, who then conceded that his side "ran out of steam". Krépin Diatta curled a shot just wide of Trapp's far corner (22') midway through the first half, but thereafter, the drop-off was evident as Paris FC grew into the encounter.
It was Les Parisiens who went closest to opening the scoring in the first half. Jean-Philippe Krasso earned a yard inside the box and unleashed a shot that rifled off Philipp Kohn's near post. Moustapha Mbow then had another excellent chance just seconds later, but couldn't direct his free header on goal (31').
It was a let-off for the Principality club, but they wouldn't be spared at the start of the second half. In a game of such few chances, efficiency was key, and Paris FC took their only big chance of the second half. It was Maxime Lopez who did excellently to sidestep substitute Stanis Idumbo and then find the unmarked Moses Simon, whose shot went over the diving Kohn (53').
Paris FC hold firm
Once in the lead, Stéphane Gilli's side didn't gift the hosts many chances. The only clear-cut chance of note fell to Maghnes Akliouche, who, after a neat one-two with Folarin Balogun, forced a good save from Trapp (58').
"I will learn to discover my group in the moments after a defeat. It will be interesting to see how they react," said Pocognoli post-match.
Monaco's march under Pocognoli was brought to an abrupt stop by Paris FC, who build on their midweek draw against Lyon by battling to a win over Les Monégasques, which provisionally lifts them to 10th in the Ligue 1 McDonald's table.
The stat: 262
The defeat against Paris FC was Monaco's first under the arches of the Stade Louis II since 12th February. That defeat, which came 262 days ago, came against Benfica in the Champions League. Les Parisiens are therefore the first Ligue 1 McDonald's side to win in the Principality in 2025. Quite the achievement from Gilli's side.
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