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Match Reports

Match Report: Monaco cruise in Auxerre

Eager to shake off a disappointing draw against RC Lens, having been undone by a stoppage-time penalty, AS Monaco were back in Ligue 1 McDonald's action on Saturday afternoon, making the trip north to Auxerre's Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps to face a promoted side, but one of whom they would still have to be wary, as the hosts had previously earned a win over OGC Nice.
E. DEVIN
Published on 09/14/2024 at 21:00
2-minute read
Denis Zakaria and Thilo Kehrer were both on the scoresheet for AS Monaco

A strong start

Despite several late-returning internationals (Takumi Minamino, Folarin Balogun) only being on the bench for Adi Hütter, the Monégasques wasted little time in getting to grips with the match, as Thilo Kehrer headed his side in front in the eighth minute, nodding in from Lamine Camara's corner. The match had been one-way traffic to that point, and little changed from there, as Breel Embolo narrowly missed doubling the lead, heading over from close range 15 minutes later.

While Embolo missed with his effort, his compatriot, team captain Denis Zakaria, ensured that Vanderson wouldn't do the same, picking out the right back with a fine ball to help double the lead. Indeed, it was only the fine work of Auxerre' keeper Donovan Léon which kept the Rouge et Blanc from getting more before the break as he did well to keep out Eliesse Ben Seghir just before halftime.

 

A perfect prelude to facing Barça

Just after the break, Léon did well to deny the young Moroccan international again, before on the hour, Aleksandr Golovin, making his first appearance of the season, narrowly missed opening his account with a chipped effort on the counter. From there, Léon again kept out first Embolo and then substitute Balogun, before Hamed Traoré had a pair of chances, the hosts' best of the match.

A third goal was coming, but it wasn't for the hosts, as in stoppage time, Zakaria scored for the second match in a row to add a proverbial cherry on top, finding the net at a corner. With the result, Monaco would go provisionally second, while Auxerre stayed above the relegation zone, albeit with most of the sides below them yet to play this weekend. 

Asked after the match for his impressions on the match -- and with an eye towards Thursday's clash with Barcelona, Monaco manger Hütter offered measured praise for his side: "We know that we have a lot of quality on the team and we have shown it tonight. The only slightly negative point is the lack of effectiveness on major occasions. We will have to improve in this area, but it is a very good victory for us." 

With just one goal conceded and three wins from four, the Principality side are riding high and will be looking to get another win over the Blaugrana following their preseason victory in the Joan Gamper Trophy. 

Read more:

Maupay, Henrique on target as OM go top 

Cafaro powers Sainté to first win

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