The game: 1-1
Slapped in Trabzon (0-4) two weeks ago, Monaco risked big Thursday on the lawn of Ferencvaros because a defeat could have eliminated it even before the last day of the group stage. The ASM did not lose (1-1), that’s already it, but it will be able to harbor regrets. She led in scoring for nearly an hour until Kristoffer Zachariassen equalized in the 82nd. Before Guillermo Maripan spoils a match point after additional time (90th + 5).
Good news: if they can no longer finish first (and therefore qualify directly for the round of 16), Philippe Clement’s players have taken second place in group H from Trabzonspor, defeated by Red Star (1-2). They will therefore have their destiny in their hands against the Serbs next week, in a match that will be just as important for the visitors. In the standings, Monaco (2nd, 7 points), Trabzon (3rd, 6 points) and Red Star (4th, 6 points) are held within one point. Ferencvaros (1st, 10 points) is guaranteed to finish first.
Reinforced by the transition to three axial defenders and the return of Mohamed Camara, suspended in Lille (3-4) on Sunday, ASM regained in the first period the colors it had lost over the past two weeks. After logically being disallowed a goal for offside in the 4th minute and hitting the crossbar in the 5th minute, Wissam Ben Yedder managed a genius gesture at the half-hour mark, cutting a cross from a Madjer precise from Axel Disasi at the near post (31st, 1-0).
Alas, Kevin Volland missed the ball 2-0 after returning from the locker room (see below), and his team ended up cracking in the face of repeated attacks from the Hungarian champion. Philippe Clement had then made only one change, forced (Diatta in place of Vanderson, injured in the first period), and the entries of Breel Embolo and Jean Lucas (83rd), probably too late, did not change anything .
The turning point: Volland had the ball 2-0
Dominant until half-time, Monaco suffered more in the second half. But like Maripan’s header in added time, Kevin Volland could blame himself, because he missed a big chance to double the lead by getting his brushes tangled in front of goal in the 67th minute, on a Alexander Golovin’s free kick. The Hungarian defense had failed to clear.