It’s a big blow for AS Monaco, and for all of French football. This Tuesday evening, the Monegasques lost in the Netherlands against PSV Eindhoven, in the second leg of the third preliminary round of the Champions League (3-2). They therefore fall back into the Europa League, and miss the mark.
What you must remember
Held in check in the first leg (1-1), the Monegasques, dominating but sterile in attack in the first period, were surprised by a goal from Joey Veerman in the 21st minute. “Favorites” in the mind of their coach, Philippe Clement’s men waited for the return of the locker room to show the extent of their qualities. After three quick changes, the Rocher team showed a completely different face.
Defender Maripan first equalized (58th), before his captain, Wissam Ben Yedder, gave his team the advantage in the 70th. But nothing will have been easy this Tuesday evening. While the Monegasques thought they could qualify, Érick Gutiérrez brought the two teams back to level with a whim in the 89th minute. In a superb atmosphere, it was finally Luuk de Jong, lonely at the far post, who definitively turned the match in favor of the Dutch in extra time (109th).
Man of the match: Luuk de Jong
The captain of PSV will have changed everything. His team will have kept hope in all circumstances, and equalized in the final moments of regulation time thanks to Érick Gutiérrez. But it was ultimately the leader of the team, Luuk de Jong, who delivered the final blow to AS Monaco.
Forgotten by the opposing defense, the Dutch striker delivered a whole people thanks to a header in the 109th minute. Icon of the club, Luuk de Jong marks a resounding return to PSV. After 159 games and 94 goals for Eindhoven between 2014 and 2019, he left the Netherlands for Spain. A mixed stint at Sevilla and a loan move to Barca later, the 31-year-old striker definitely marked his return to the hearts of PSV supporters tonight.
The number: 120
120 minutes. For the second time in two years, Monaco misses the Champions League in extra time, because it will not have been able to resist until the end. A goal in the 89th minute, then in the 109th and everything collapses. More than a twist of fate this Tuesday evening, the goals conceded in crucial moments by Monaco against PSV symbolize the last year of ASM.
Last year, the Monegasques were eliminated in the Champions League play-offs by Shakhtar Donetsk after extra time. In Ligue 1, it was a goal in the dying moments of the last day against Lens which then deprived them of direct qualification for the C1.
Far from the Champions League, Monaco will therefore play the Europa League this season. PSV will challenge Rangers in the play-offs of the most prestigious club competition.