AS Monaco 1-0 ASSE : the fatal outcome

The summary of the game

Unjustly deprived of the precious support of their supporters, AS Saint-Etienne began the match with serious intentions to step onto AS Monaco’s field and take points. The Stéphanois strikers benefited from the support that the tactic conceived by Jean-Louis Gasset provided them: two lateral players, Mathieu Debuchy to the right and Gabriel Sivla to the left, positioned far from the net in a five-man rear-guard. However, it’s AS Monaco who, from the onset of the game, rattled their opponent’s cage with Sylla’s shot on net (4th). The Verts and Rémy Cabella immediately replied but like Sylla did not score (5th). As incursions into the penalty areas were rare, both teams opted for shots as far away as they were imprecise. After 20 minutes had passed, Jean-Louis Gasset’s players were clearly the ones who were holding onto the ball, with a ball possession rate of almost 61%.  This tendency was then reversed as the resourceful AS Monaco started approaching Stéphane Ruffier’s net. And during this first period when the ones retaining possession of the ball weren’t the most dangerous, Loïc Perrin distinguished himself with a beautiful, left-footed shot that was deflected by Jemerson and that grazed Subasic.

Against the defending, French champion, the Verts suffered after the break. After having held back several of Monaco’s offensives and preventing them from scoring, Stéphane Ruffier brilliantly blocked a shot made by Lopes (60th). The Verts responded in kind once again with Rémy Cabella whose powerful shot was diverted by Subasic. Then when Jean-Louis Gasset called for a new effort on the part of the Verts with more offensive changes, Jonathan Bamba was ready to give his team the advantage but stumbled on the Croatian goalie (66th). This same player however managed to save his team on the goal line by blocking a head butt made by Jemerson (72nd). When he wasn’t replaced by a teammate Stéphane Ruffier achieved great feats. The two shots he blocked made by Lemar then Sylla (83rd) sickened Monaco’s strikers. But the solid, Stéphanois goalie could do nothing against Fabinho, who managed to catch him off-guard perfectly with a penalty kick made by Lemar.

The Goal

90th (0-1): While trying to clear the ball, Mathieu Debuchy seems to unbalance Lemar. The referee whistles the penalty. Fabinho catches Stéphane Ruffier off-guard.

The Coach's Analysis

During the post-game press conference, Jean-Louis Gasset regretted the missed opportunities of his players, especially during the second half. He also cared to underline the courage and commitment of his team, but also of the fans, many of whom made the trip to Monaco but could not support their team due to the travel ban placed on them by the government of Monaco.

Ligue 1 Conforama
Week 37
Louis II Stadium

Attendance : 10 742 spectateurs
AS Monaco 1-0 ASSE
Half-time : 0-0
Referee : Benoit Bastien
Goal : Fabinho (90 on penalty) for AS Monaco.
Yellow cards: Théophile-Catherine (41) for ASSE ; Serrano (7) for AS Monaco.
Red card : Ghezzal (90+3) for AS Monaco.

AS Monaco : Subasic (C) – Serrano, Jemerson, Glik, Touré (then Sidibé, 68) – Moutinho, Fabinho, Tielemans (then Pellegri, 80) – Lemar, Sylla, Lopes (then Ghezzal, 68). Coach: Leonardo Jardim.
ASSE : Ruffier – Silva (then Selnaes, 71), Subotic, Perrin (C), Théophile-Catherine, Debuchy – M’Vila, Diousse (then Monnet-Paquet, 64), Cabella – Bamba, Ntep (then Hamouma, 64). Coach: Jean-Louis Gasset.