Ben Yedder scored, Daramy disappointed. Mao / Panoramic / MAO / Federico Pestellini / Panoramic / Federico Pestellini
Jostled but efficient, AS Monaco dominated Stade de Reims (3-1) thanks to its attacking duo composed of Wissam Ben Yedder and Folarin Balogun.
TOPS
Ben Yedder-Balogun, incredible duo on the Rock
Associated in attack for the second time this season, Wissam Ben Yedder and Folarin Balogun are the great architects of Monaco’s success in Reims (1-3) on Saturday. The Frenchman, behind Jakobs’ opening score, stunned the Rémois with his fifth goal of the season, three minutes after the break made by the American. At the time of his goal, the 22-year-old striker did not show his joy in front of his former Auguste-Delaune supporters who returned his respect with a nice ovation as he left the pitch. Growing in strength throughout the match, the two players displayed promising complementarity. Balogun in depth, Ben Yedder in stalling and finishing, the ASM’s preferential scheme has a bright future ahead of it.
Read alsoLigue 1: Monaco takes place in Reims and remains in the lead
Maripan, master of the air
To stop the centering machines from Reims, Ito, Nakamura and Munetsi, Monaco needed a careful control tower. Positioned in the axis of the three-way defense, the Chilean defender repelled everything, winning his duels with Abdelhamid from a set piece. Even Daramy and his speed didn’t overwhelm him in the race. In her less academic but very effective style, Maripan held down the Monegasque house with her partners Singo and Köhn, also authors of a solid performance.
Ito was too alone
Like his team, the Japanese winger tried everything for 90 minutes, without success. His speed put Monaco’s left lane to torture. An elusive and tireless dribbler, Ito forced Fofana and Matsima to receive yellow cards by bringing incessant danger to the opposing cage. It’s a shame that his undermining work was not enhanced by his offensive friends, clumsy in front of goal.
FLOPS
Reims, a black hole that is expensive
Rather dominant in the first period but trailing at the break, Stade de Reims shot itself twice in the foot by completely missing the start of the second act. Monaco took the opportunity to lead 3-0. Abdelhamid was unfortunate on the second goal by diverting Balogun’s shot while the entire defense got through a few seconds later, leaving Ben Yedder to calmly adjust his header. Once this five-minute black hole passed, Will Still’s players resumed the flow of their match. But he was already too late…
Read alsoLigue 1: “The difference is that Monaco has players worth €35 million in key positions”, complains Still
Daramy maladroit
The Danish striker, the last link in the Champagne chain, could have validated the highlights of his team with more precision and lucidity in the choices. But he played several shots poorly in the first period, being messy in the zone of truth. He never even found fault with his opponent Maripan despite his theoretical advantage in explosiveness. This frustrating observation also applies to his partner Nakamura who had a golden opportunity for 1-0, unconverted in front of Köhn.
