When AS Monaco offered a prestigious victory against Liverpool
18 years ago, the Reds and Whites beat the Reds at the Stade Louis-II, in the group stage of the Champions League. A victory acquired thanks to a goal from Javier Saviola.
Beating the future winners of the Champions League is not given to everyone. And yet, that’s what AS Monaco achieved during the group stages of the 2004-2005 season by bringing down Liverpool at the Stade Louis-II. More than six months after the final lost against Porto, the Red and Whites present themselves in a 4-4-2 with the presence of MaiconJavier Saviola or Ernesto Chevantonnew arrivals during the off-season.
A but full of cold blood
In a balanced meeting (eight shots on each side), the difference is created in the 55th minute on a very nice collective action. From outside the law, Farnerud Bridge Jaroslav Plasilrepositioned in the axis, which then gives to Shabani Nonda.
The latter gives in a touch for “El Conejo” – rabbit in French and nickname of Javier Saviola – which gives him back instantly. If the Congolese shot is blocked by a defender, it comes back to the Argentine striker who controls at the penalty spot and scores with the right foot with a low shot.
🐰 The goal of 𝗝𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗢𝗟𝗔 🇦🇷 which allows ASM to beat the future European Champion ✨pic.twitter.com/yLAaiTA3Bq
— ASMHistoire 🇲🇨 (@ASMHistoire) November 23, 2022
A first place in this group
The men of Didier Deschamps then won 1-0 and took second place at the expense of their evening opponents at the end of this fifth day. They will finally finish first in their group after a final success against Deportivo la Corogne (5-0) ahead of Liverpool and Olympiakos.
If the European course will end a few months later in the round of 16, eliminated by PSV Eindhoven, this victory against the Reds, future winners of the competition against AC Milan, remains well and truly in the history of the club of the Principality.
The match sheet:
Champions League 2004-2005 – 5th day
AS Monaco 1-0 Liverpool
But : Saviola (55th) for AS Monaco
AS Monaco: Roma – Maicon, Squillaci, Givet (cap), Evra – Saviola (Adebayor, 75th), Zikos, Farnerud (Modesto, 79th), Plasil – Nonda, Chevanton (Pérez, 68th)
Coach : Didier Deschamps
Liverpool: Kirkland – Finnan, Carragher, Hyypiä, Traoré (Kewell, 60th) – Biscan, Hamann, Gerrard, Riise – Luis Garcia (Josemi, 5th, Warnock, 65th), Mellor
Coach : Raphael Benitez