Despite a nice goal from Wissam Ben Yedder, the Monegasques let the Hungarians from Ferencvaros (1-1) come back and missed the opportunity to steal the first place in the group from them.
Joined at the end of Thursday’s match in Budapest by Monaco, a draw against Ferencvaros, Nantes won on the wire, Monaco can no longer finish in first place in group H and will need to beat Etoile Rouge of Belgrade on the last day to be assured of the second.
The difference is significant between first and second places, because the second of groups must go through a jump-off against teams having finished third in their Champions League groups to reach the round of 16 of the event.
Ferencvaros does not have this problem, its first place no longer being threatened in Group H. The Hungarians will therefore play in the round of 16 of C3.
For its part, Monaco will undoubtedly finish second if it beats Etoile Rouge next Thursday at the Louis-II stadium. A draw could be enough too, provided Trabzonspor do not beat Ferencvaros.
In a precarious situation at kick-off, the Monegasques are therefore not much further ahead at the final whistle, but can at least tell themselves that their future belongs to them.
For this match in Budapest, Philippe Clement returned to a three-man defense, theoretically more secure after two games with four goals conceded in the last three, against Trabzonspor (4-1) and Lille (4-3).
Logically punished
In attack, the Belgian technician had left Embolo on the bench at kick-off to revive Volland alongside Ben Yedder. The German was very discreet, but that did not prevent Monaco from starting very strong with a goal from Ben Yedder, canceled for offside (5th).
While the rhythm of the match had come down after this spirited start, it was again the French international who put his team in the lead with a magnificent “Majeron a good cross from Disasi after a powerful overflow (31st).
Completely harmless until then, the Hungarians were not much more dangerous then, with the only opportunity before the break a header from Zachariassen close to the post (45th), shortly after Vanderson’s exit through injury.
But Ferencvaros, on the other hand, completely took control of the match in the second period, while ASM continued to retreat. Nübel then made several saves but the Principality team was logically punished.
In the 81st, Zachariassen indeed offered the qualification to his team after an action very badly defended by Disasi and especially Maripan. At the very end of the match, the Chilean could have made up for it but his header went wide.
Monaco therefore still has work to do on Thursday against the Red Star to continue its European journey. But until then, ASM must also take three points on Sunday in Ligue 1, with the reception of Angers.