AS Monaco hooks Real Sociedad and shares the lead
At the end of a rather tense meeting in front of a Basque audience and a very hot Monegasque park, the Principality’s players obtained the point of a draw at the Reale Arena against a player Real Sociedad (1-1), at the occasion of the 2nd day of the Europa League.
After an inaugural victory against Sturm Graz at the Stade Louis-II (1-0), the Monegasques went to seek the point of draw in San Sebastian against Real Sociedad (1-1). For this second day of the Europa League, Niko Kovac decides to make a tactical change by opting for a compact 4-3-3 with an unprecedented three-way environment: Fofana-Jean Lucas-Tchouameni. Myron Boadu starts off at a peak, supported by the Diop-Diatta duo on the wings. Axel Disasi wears the captain’s armband.
An ideal start… just like in Prague!
The first period starts with territorial domination, while the Red and Whites are careful not to leave any spaces. Only the Basque captain, Mikel Oyarzabal, on a free kick (2nd) and Adnan Januzaj with a coiled shot in force (11th) stand out without finding the frame. But it is AS Monaco that opens the scoring! On a corner perfectly distilled by Sofiane Diop, again selected today with the French Espoirs, Axel Disasi catapults a crossed header on the post of Alex Remiro, beaten (1-0, 16th).
This helmet shot from our captain
-𝟭 ⌁ # REALASM pic.twitter.com/ZHzJhzOm6a
– AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) September 30, 2021
The Monegasque park roars, populated by more than 300 fans! An opening of the scoring which does not prevent Real Sociedad from regaining control of the ball. But a possession that remains sterile, even if an attempt by Oyarzabal (29th) responds to an opportunity signed Sofiane Diop (28th). It is even Jean Lucas who is the most dangerous with a sudden shot on a three-way action with Myron Boadu and Youssouf Fofana (34th).
A case of set pieces
A header from Aritz Elustondo on a free kick from Januzaj barely gives a shiver to Alexander Nübel, attentive before half-time (36th). Like this strike against Januzaj just before the whistle of Mr. Ivanov (45th + 3). The second period resumes without Djibril Sidibé, visibly affected, who is replaced at short notice by Ruben Aguilar, very vigilant on this defensive clearance (51st). Like Alexander Nübel on the acrobatic attempt of Portu (52nd).
Unfortunately on the next corner, Mikel Merino wakes up the Real Arena by victoriously taking a header from a sublime corner from Adnan Januzaj (1-1, 53 ‘). AS Monaco tries to answer, but it is the men of Imanol Alguacil who offer themselves a new breach on this strike from Portu, blocked by a cuff from Alexander Nübel, impassive, like a hand keeper (64th). Niko Kovac takes advantage of this moment to bring in the Golovin-Volland duo.
A last quarter of an hour (very) tense
Despite everything, the Basques remain the most dangerous, as on this resumption of a counter volley from Adnan Januzaj (76th). The Belgian winger is still in the game to get back on his left foot, but Caio Henrique angrily tackles the ball in a regulatory manner (82nd). The last Monegasque rampart is again decisive on this header from Januzaj, again him (89th).
81’⏱
What a tackle from C. Henrique
The defender manages to scratch a ball in the penalty area and thus destroys the opponent’s opportunity.
-𝟭 ⌁ # REALASM
– AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) September 30, 2021
The spirits are heated in a very muscular end of meeting in the duels. No opportunity to bite into an electric additional time at the Reale Arena, with the pressure of the Basque kop on the goal of Alexander Nübel. The Red and White therefore left Spain with a good point, synonymous with first place tied with PSV Eindhoven, leader only in goal average.
A shock against PSV on October 21
A Dutch team that AS Monaco will meet again for the shock of the group on Thursday, October 21 at the Philips Stadion. By then, the teammates of Wissam Ben Yedder, called again on Sunday for the France team, will find Bordeaux in Ligue 1 this before the international break.
The match sheet
Europa League – 2nd day
Real Sociedad 1-1 AS Monaco
Half-time: 0-1
Corn : Merino (53rd) for Real Sociedad; Disasi (16th) for AS Monaco
Yellow cards: Maripán (87th), Volland, Disasi and Kovac (92nd); Elustondo (92nd)
Real Sociedad: Remiro – Zaldúa (Gorosabel, 72nd), Elustondo, Zubeldia, Muñoz – Zubimendi, Guevara (Turrientes, 61st), Merino – Januzaj, Portu (Barrenetxea, 71st), Oyarzabal © (Karrikaburu, 90th)
Substitutes: Ryan, Gorosabel, Barrenetxea, Le Normand, Turrientes, Navarro, González, Karrikaburu, Lobete, Valera, Romero
Coach: Imanol Alguacil
AS Monaco: Nübel – Sidibé (Aguilar, 46th), Disasi ©, Badiashile, C. Henrique (Pavlović, 90th) – Fofana (Golovin, 66th), Tchouameni, Jean Lucas – Diatta, Boadu (Volland, 65th), Diop (Maripán, 74th)
Substitutes: Majecki, Aguilar, Jakobs, Maripán, Matsima, Pavlović, Gelson Martins, Golovin, Matazo, Ben Yedder, Isidor, Volland
Coach: Niko Kovac