AS Monaco concedes a cruel draw to Lens
Dominating in a second period where they will have led for thirty big minutes, the Red and Whites finally gave in at the very end of the match to Lens (2-2). A cruel draw, synonymous with third place in the standings.
Jostled by very enterprising Lensois but in front of the score during the last half hour, AS Monaco unfortunately shared the point of a draw in the North (2-2), and will have to go through the play-offs to hope to play the Champions League next season. In an attempt to clinch a 10th affiliation success in the league – unheard of since the 2016-2017 title season -, Philippe Clément decides to renew the eleven aligned against Rennes, Nice and Brest last Saturday (success 4-2). Vanderson therefore starts on the right wing, ahead of Ruben Aguilar, who is celebrating his 100th with the Red and Whites there.
A great Alex Nübel tastes the Lensois
The kick-off of this shock is given in an incredible atmosphere at the Bollaert-Delelis stadium, in the presence of 1000 Monegasque supporters from all over France. Well back in their match, the two defenses avoided Wissam Ben Yedder (3rd) and Seko Fofana (5th) in turn, to find a first angle of strike. It was finally Arnaud Kalimuendo who proved dangerous on a cross shot from the right, which Alexander Nübel pushed away with his foot (7th). What a stop!
We give everything on the field and in the stands!
👊🇲🇨
‣ 𝟬-𝟬 #RCLASM pic.twitter.com/zsmw18DzmG
– AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) May 21, 2022
The German goalkeeper, already decisive against Brest, immediately made a magnificent horizontal shot to deflect a curling shot from Cheick Doucouré (9′). He also captures Kalimuendo’s attempt, again him (12th). The Monegasque rearguard made the round back in this first quarter of an hour. Aleksandr Golovin’s teammates react to a cross from the Tsar, repelled with difficulty by Wuilker Farinez, from the end of the glove (17th). The last ramparts stand out in turn.
The Monegasque alarm clock signed Badiashile
Alex “The Wall” Nübel even made his fourth save ahead of Pereira Da Costa (19th). Then he saves his family once again on a breakthrough from Seko Fofana (21st). The Monegasques unfortunately give in on yet another offensive led by Jonathan Clauss, who serves his son against Frankowski (1-0, 30th). Caio Henrique tries to respond directly on a direct free kick obtained in the axis (34th). It’s diverted.
But in continuity, Benoît Badiashile equalized in two stages on a corner perfectly deposited by Aleksandr Golovin (1-1, 35th)! AS Monaco regained the upper hand and returned to the locker room on this parity score.
We won’t give up.
𝟭-𝟭 ‣ #RCLASM pic.twitter.com/Bz7msEI2go
– AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) May 21, 2022
The return of the two formations is under great pressure from the public, and Jonathan Clauss lights a first fuse (51st). It is then up to Pereira Da Costa to favor a heavy strike which flies over the crossbar (53rd). Then Florian Sotoca’s attempt is captured by Alex Nübel (54th).
Captain Wiss’, again and again!
The reaction this time is the work of Aleksandr Golovin, who is very close to winning his face-to-face with the Lensois goalkeeper (57th). The Red and Whites push and Caio Henrique is very close to offering a goal to Aurélien Tchouameni in withdrawal (59th). On the corner that follows, Benoît Badiashile is on the verge of snapping a double header (60th). It’s hot, it’s very hot! On the other side of the field, Alex Nübel stretches full length to stop an attempt by Florian Sotoca (61st).
The German goalkeeper, author of a large part, allows AS Monaco to hope. And it paid off, since Wissam Ben Yedder, again, scored his 25th but of the season on a cross from… Kevin Volland (1-2, 62nd)! What a duo!!! The meeting took a crazy turn, and Alexander Nübel was again decisive on this heavy strike from Seko Fofana (70th).
This guy there.
1-2 ‣ #RCLASM pic.twitter.com/zdeGlrnLMT
– AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) May 21, 2022
A very cruel equalizer
The Red and White defense held firm in the last quarter of an hour, even under great pressure from the Lensois. Unfortunately, for them, they concede the equalizer after additional time on an opposing free kick (2-2, 96th). The Principality club will therefore have to go through the two play-off rounds to hope to compete in the Champions League next season. Thank you to our loyal supporters who supported us until the end!
The match sheet
Ligue 1 Uber Eats – 38and daytime
RC Lens 2-2 AS Monaco
Half time: 1-1
But : Frankowski (30th) and Ganago (96th) for Lens; Badiashile (35th), Ben Yedder (62nd) for AS Monaco
Yellow cards: Danso (33rd) and Gradit (84th) for Lens; Volland (84th), Tchouameni (86th) and Caio Henrique (88th) for AS Monaco
Lens: Farinez – Gradit, Danso, Medina – Clauss, Doucouré, Fofana©, Frankowski (69th) – Sotoca (Saïd, 69th), Kalimuendo (Ganago, 80th), Pereira Da Costa (Jean, 81st)
Replacements: Pandor, Haïdara, Machado, Wooh, Berg, Cahuzac, Ganago, Jean, Saïd
Coach : Franck Haise
AS Monaco: Nübel – Aguilar, Disasi, Badiashile, C.Henrique (Maripán, 88th) – Vanderson (Jakobs, 73rd), Tchouameni, Fofana, Golovin (Boadu, 58th) – Volland, Ben Yedder © (Matazo, 87th)
Replacements: Majecki, Disasi, Jakobs, Maripán, Sidibé, Diop, Gelson Martins, Jean Lucas, Matazo, Boadu
Coach : Philippe Clement