Match Review: AS Monaco vs. Olympique Lyonnais
After a tumultuous end to 2025, AS Monaco aimed to kick off 2026 with a strong performance against a challenging Olympique Lyonnais side. Despite being positioned 9th in the league, the stakes were high as they faced Lyon, who were sitting at 5th.
Pre-Match Setup
Monaco was missing several key players due to injury and international duty, including Diatta, Camara, Vanderson, Pogba, Minamino, and Fati. Zakaria’s suspension further complicated matters for coach Sébastien Pocognoli. He opted for a 4-3-1-2 formation, pairing Biereth and Balogun at the front. Lyon, on the other hand, was without Endrick, who was ineligible but boasted a strong attacking lineup led by Pavel Suc.
First Half Action
The match began with intense duels and a high tempo. In a dramatic turn of events, goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky had to exit early due to a collision, giving way to Köhn. His impact was felt almost immediately, as he had to fend off several Lyon attacks, including efforts from Tolisso and Moreira.
Lyon managed to break the deadlock in the 38th minute when Sulc capitalized on a deflection from Tagliafico’s corner. But just before half-time, Monaco struck back. Balogun’s run caught the Lyon defense off-guard, and Coulibaly took advantage of a failed clearance to equalize in the dying moments of the half (45+4).
Lyon Dominates the Second Half
As the second half commenced, Lyon regained control, much to the chagrin of Pocognoli. The intensity was palpable, and moments later, Sulc found the back of the net again in the 57th minute, scoring his 11th goal of the season and putting Lyon back in front (1-2).
Monaco’s challenges compounded when Coulibaly received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Tagliafico, leaving them down to ten men. Lyon took full advantage, with Abner sealing the win with a third goal in the 79th minute. The match ended 3-1, marking Monaco’s eighth loss in 17 league matches and casting doubt on their Champions League aspirations.
Player Highlights
Man of the Match: Pavel Sulc (8)
Sulc was electric throughout the match. Demonstrating skill and composure, he was pivotal in Lyon’s attack. With a goal and an assist, his performance solidified his status as one of Lyon’s main offensive threats.
AS Monaco Player Ratings
- Köhn (4.5): Stepped up after an unexpected entry, making crucial saves, though he faltered on Lyon’s second goal.
- Coulibaly (4): Gained praise for the equalizer but ultimately hindered his team’s efforts with a costly red card.
- Kehrer (4): Solid defensively but saw a goal disallowed due to foul play.
Olympique Lyonnais Player Ratings
- Greif (4.5): Had a decent performance but faltered on the equalizer.
- Tagliafico (7): Key in both defense and attack with two assists.
- Maitland-Niles (6): Instrumental in setting up Sulc’s second goal and contributed defensively.
Conclusion
The 2026 season has begun on a high note for Lyon, who are now just two points shy of the Champions League spots. Conversely, Monaco will need to regroup quickly if they wish to stay relevant in their quest for European football.