AS Monaco Clinches Draw Against Dinamo Zagreb in Thrilling Champions League Match Despite Adverse Weather Conditions

2024-10-02 21:01:00

This was not the result that was initially expected, but AS Monaco will happily settle for it. Traveling to Dinamo Zagreb for the second day of the Champions League, the club of the Principalities went to reach the draw point in a nice ambush (2-2).

Continuing 2-0 until a quarter of an hour from the end of regulation time, the Asemists ended up overcoming disastrous weather conditions to share the points thanks to a penalty converted by Denis Zakaria. With four points in two games, Monaco maintains its invincibility in all competitions since the beginning of this financial year 2024-2025.

Drowned green

No one can say for sure, but AS Monaco are probably cursing the bad weather in Zagreb. In the heavy rain, Adolf Hütter’s men could not show their usual game. Worse: the lawn of the Maksimir stadium is flooded, passes are regularly stopped in their tracks due to numerous puddles that prevented the fluidity of the Monegasque game.

From his side, this situation seemed much more favorable for Dinamo Zagreb. Two weeks ago, the Croatian champion suffered a violent defeat against Bayern Munich for his entry into the competition. From then on, the Plavi Lavovi (Blue Lions, in French) wanted to show a completely different side at home, and this was possible.

Facing Baturina XXL, Zakaria limits the situation

Thank you to whom? Dear Martin Baturina. Number 10 at the back, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder has made a name for himself on the European stage with top-class performances. Dangerous on the first free kick (4th), the Croatian international took advantage of a lightning counter to allow his teammate Petar Sucic to deceive Philippe Köhn with a subtle ball just before the break (1-0, 45th). In the first period, only Takumi Minamino stood out for the visitors but Ivan Nevistić won his duel (13th). Enough to return to the locker room with your head down and the sense of getting stuck in a real trap.

In the second act, the rain didn’t stop falling. In the middle of sliding tasks and complicated transitions, Baturina stood out again with a sharp strike on the left foot to double the lead (2-0, 66th). Monaco could be sure of doubt, but on the contrary, salvation came from the air. From a corner, Mohammed Salisu took advantage of Nevistić’s poor departure to reduce the gap with a header (2-1, 74th). The end of the game gradually became complicated for the locals. If Minamino saw his head pushed back by Raul Torrente on his line (88th), Folarin Balogun received an immediate penalty. As a good captain, Zakaria accepted his balancing responsibilities with a perfect counterattack (2-2, 90). If they didn’t win, Monaco didn’t lose. Sometimes you have to see the glass as half full.