Monaco rises to the level of PSG in the standings
Excellent move for Monaco in the standings as they draw level with PSG thanks to their 3-1 victory over Le Havre. After opening the scoring with Teze, the Monégasques found themselves in difficulty when the Havrians equalized through Kuzyaev.
But Adi Hütter’s team was able to rely on a gem from Ben Seghir, and a goal from Balogun to secure the victory.
Sabbi misses the target
On a cross from the right, Sabbi follows up with a right-footed shot that flies well over Köhn’s goal.
Le Havre struggles
Joujou wins a corner on the left, played short and eventually cleared with a header by the defense. Golovin also wins a free kick on his side.
Singo’s rush
Singo goes on a little rush, resisting a shirt tug. He is eventually isolated in the box and loses the ball before he can do anything with it.
Monaco still pressing
Opéri manages to fend off Golovin’s pressing in his half, likewise for Sanganté who resists Akilouche on his side and manages to keep the ball.
Additional time:
There will be 7 extra minutes in this match.
Kehrer injured
The game is interrupted for a few seconds as Kehrer needs treatment. The German is able to get back up.
Substitution for Monaco
Matazo replaces Ilenikhena, who had a good match with an assist for Balogun.
Joujou’s initiative
Positioned about 25 meters out, Joujou takes a sudden left-footed shot that flies over the Monégasque goal.
Ben Seghir sought after but…
After good work by Ilenikhena, Akliouche is sent on the right, but his cross for Ben Seghir is intercepted.
Ndiaye on the ground
It’s Ndiaye’s turn to be down in midfield after an aerial duel with Golovin. The ball is returned to the Havrians.
Changes
Diatta replaces Teze for Monaco.
Ngoura and Sabbi take the places of Kechta and Salmier for Le Havre.
Ben Seghir on fire
Ben Seghir shines in midfield with a nice nutmeg on Ndiaye. The Moroccan even wins a free kick shortly after.
Triple substitution for Le Havre
Joujou, Ndiaye, and Soumaré replace Kuzyaev, Casimir, and Targhalline.
BALOGUN MAKES IT 3-1
Balogun shakes the net again! After a poor clearance from Salmier, Zakaria intercepts and finds Ilenikhena who then sets up a clinical Balogun who finishes well against Desmas. 3-1!
Two Monégasques down
There’s some injury concern with Golovin and Akilouche down following contacts with Havrians. The referee stops the game.
THE GEM FROM BEN SEGHIR
What an incredible goal from Ben Seghir! After winning the ball, Singo gains ground before passing to Ben Seghir at 20 meters who opens his right foot to curl it into Desmas’ top corner. 2-1!
Sanganté penalized
Ben Seghir, held back, fights to pursue his effort but is then struck by Sanganté who receives a yellow card.
Contact between Ilenikhena and Sanganté
Minor duel between Ilenikhena and Sanganté in the Havre box. Despite some audible protests, the referee allows play to continue.
Substitution for Monaco
Minamino is replaced by Akliouche.
Le Havre gaining confidence
Monaco still struggles to find space in the Havre defense. The visitors, on the other hand, find it easier to move forward.
Köhn’s missed clearance!
Monaco gets very scared with Köhn’s long clearance missed in front of Casimir. Positioned on the right, the number 10 is alone and attempts a cross that is deflected for a corner.
Poor pass from Ben Seghir
Inaccuracy from Ben Seghir who overhits his pass to Henrique on the left. The Brazilian cannot avoid the touch. Akliouche warms up.
Singo blocks Casimir
Casimir makes a powerful volley attempt and tries to get around Singo to accelerate. The Havre player runs into the defender’s body instead.
Balogun under pressure
Monaco quickly responds with an acceleration on the right flank, with a follow-up cross for Balogun who is pressured by Sanganté. The American does not earn the corner.
Goal disallowed for Le Havre
False joy for the Havrians due to an offside position called. Still 1-1.
CASIMIR SURPRISES MONACO
Le Havre takes the lead! Perfectly set up by Kechta, Casimir outruns two defenders before curling a right-foot shot which Köhn misses. 1-2!
Double substitution for Monaco
Magassa and Camara replaced by Ben Seghir and Zakaria.
The match resumes
We are back at the Louis II stadium where suspense remains high. It’s Monaco’s turn to kick off.
Le Havre withstands Monaco
Surprising first act where Monaco quickly dominated the match and was sharp via Teze. But against the run of play, Kuzyaev equalized for the Havrians who then gained confidence and well contained the locals’ advances.
Kuzyaev just short
Nego slides a pass that is a tad too long for Kuzyaev who had made a run into the box. Monaco has not been as effective since the equalizer.
Additional time:
There will be 3 additional minutes in this first half.
Desmas untroubled
In the left corner near the box, Henrique takes another free kick that is first cleared with a Havre header before being caught by Desmas.
Salmier penalized
Big obstruction by Salmier to prevent Ilenikhena from getting past near the box. The defender receives a yellow card.
Few options for Monaco
Monaco’s offensives are becoming rare. The flanks and the center are blocked. Golovin attempts an opening that is caught by Desmas.
Singo cuts off a dangerous center
Found on the left following a change of play, Opéri sequences on the left with a low cross intercepted by a defender. Kechta was lurking.
Salmier reassures his defense
Targhalline fouls Golovin on the left and concedes a free kick taken by Henrique, once again cleared, this time by Salmier who also let his arm linger on Kehrer’s face.
Monaco pushed back
The Havrians show an interesting face by challenging a Monaco team that has been less impactful in recent minutes.
Lloris dominates in the air
It’s Monaco’s turn to have a free kick from the left sent into the box by Henrique. Lloris rises above everyone to clear the danger.
The crossbar for Balogun!
What a situation for Monaco with Balogun found in the box, and who takes a shot with his right that is deflected by Desmas onto the crossbar. A not obvious offside is called, but it serves as a big warning for the Normands.
KUZYAEV EQUALIZES
Le Havre equalizes! After a distant free kick from Opéri, Touré lays it back for Kuzyaev who unleashes a sharp right-footed shot that finds its way into Köhn’s small net. 1-1!
Le Havre feeling better but…
Digard’s men are seeing more of the ball in midfield, and resisting the locals’ high pressing. However, it remains complicated to project on the wings.
Singo reassures
Rare offensive from the Havrians with a surge from Nego on the right. Singo cuts it out for a corner. This results in an offside on Opéri signaled.
Ilenikhena gets a knock
The game is increasingly disrupted with Ilenikhena going down after taking Salmier’s knee. No serious injury for the striker who gets back up.
Magassa penalized
It’s now Magassa’s turn to be penalized after a heavy stomp on a Havrean on the ground who needs medical attention.
Yellow card for Touré
Touré receives the first yellow of the match following a foul on Minamino.
Le Havre plays long
The visitors want to play long, and it nearly worked with Casimir in a good position. But Köhn anticipates well and catches the ball just ahead of the helpless number 10.
Opéri saves in front of Magassa
On the left wing, Balogun delivers a very accurate cross that Magassa almost intercepts. Opéri just beats the midfielder to the ball and saves his team by conceding a corner.
Sanganté has work to do
In a duel with Balogun, Sanganté withstands the physical challenge to the point where the number 9 calls for a foul. But the defender is then pushed into committing a foul himself.
Ilenikhena in form
Ilenikhena’s movements are troubling for the Normands. After managing to turn forward, the striker is fouled by Touré and earns a free kick.
Le Havre under pressure
Perfect start for Monaco who quickly capitalized on their dominance. Le Havre, which was looking for possible counters, now has to push out of their half.
TEZE OPENS THE SCORING
Monaco takes the lead! After a good press from Balogun, he is served again and takes an initial shot that is blocked. Minamino follows up with a cross to Teze who nudges the ball into the empty goal. 1-0!
Kehrer imperious
Casimir recovers the ball high up, and passes to his right for Kechta. Just about to shoot, the number 8 is stopped at the last moment by an excellent tackle from Kehrer.
Balogun inaccurate and offside
Nice chipped pass from Ilenikhena to launch Balogun who enters the box, controls but follows up with a left-footed shot that flies over the bar. The attacker was offside.
Ilenikhena beaten
First Monégasque cross from the left, with Ilenikhena targeted at the far post, but beaten to it by a Havre defender. The visitors clear the ball which returns quickly to the locals.
Golovin and Henrique connect
Monaco is already holding the ball with Golovin and Henrique attempting a first combination on the left that is thwarted.
Kick-off!
Referee Stéphanie Frappart blows the whistle for kick-off of this first match on Sunday between Monaco and Le Havre. The Havrians take the first kick.
The match is about to start
The kick-off is imminent. Monégasques and Havrians are on the pitch at the Louis II stadium.
History of the last confrontation
Proving that the Havrians can upset the Monégasques, they managed to snatch a point in Monaco last February (1-1). Ben Yedder opened the scoring for the Principality, but Fofana, now at AC Milan, conceded an own goal.
A possible feat for the Havrians?
In Le Havre, there is a mix of good and less good. After an initial defeat to PSG, the Normands reassured themselves with two consecutive victories, but fell back into their old ways last weekend in Toulouse (2-0). Earning at least a point against an in-form Monaco would be a great achievement.
The official line-up for Le Havre
Desmas – Nego, Lloris, Salmier, Sanganté, Opéri – Kechta, Targhalline, Touré, Kuziaev – Casimir
Several key players on the Monaco bench
Already valuable last season, Denis Zakaria continues to shine in midfield. The Swiss is currently the top scorer for Monaco with two goals. Lamine Camara, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Magnes Akliouche are also among the good surprises from the Principality.
Big opportunity for Monaco
3rd on equal points with OM, Monaco can catch up with the current league leaders PSG in the event of a victory, further confirming an excellent start to the season with three wins and only one draw in Ligue 1. In full confidence, Akilouche’s teammates have also achieved a prestigious victory in the Champions League against Barça (2-1).
Monaco’s revamped eleven
Kohn – Teze, Singo, Kehrer, Henrique – Magassa, Camara, Golovin, Minamino – Ilenikhena, Balogun
Welcome everyone!
Hello to all, and welcome to the live commentary of the match between Monaco and Le Havre. This match counts for the 5th round of Ligue 1, and will start at 3 PM at the Louis II stadium.