The turning point?
By: Richard | March 2nd, 2009
AS Monaco 2 (Nimani 20, Mollo 90)
St. Etienne 2 (Payet 26, Matsui 61)
This may well be the match that saves Monaco and condemns les Verts to Ligue 2. It’s only 1 point, but the negativity surrounding Monaco in the new year has gotten so bad that it feels like a victory. Even with this draw, ASM has managed 5 points out of a possible 21 so far in 2009 in one of the softest parts of their schedule. In the 12 matches remaining, they still have to host Toulouse and travel to Lyon before ending the season with Bordeaux and PSG in successive weeks (both away). A home defeat against a relegation zone team would have been a complete disaster.
I have no idea what Ricardo is thinking leaving our leading goalscorer Licata on the bench (again!). Sometimes I think he should wear a straitjacket on the sideline. Nimani collected Park’s through ball and beat Spider-Man for the opener. The joy lasted for 5 minutes until Ilan set up Payet for the equaliser. At halftime Ricardo apparently sobered up and brought on Licata for the hopeless Gakpe. Matsui latched onto a ball on the outside of the box and beat Ruffier at the near post with an absolute screamer, L1 goal of the week candidate for sure (actually, Féret’s impossible goal for Nancy against PSG was better). I didn’t have much hope after that–despite their league standing, St.Etienne are a good side (ask Olympiakos) who beat us pretty easily earlier in the season. However, substitute starlet Mollo rolled one across Janot from the penalty spot deep into injury time and my prayers were answered. Actually, Monaco spurned a great chance to snatch all 3 points a minute later, but Nkoulou’s header just missed.
Next up: away to Ajaccio in the CdF on Wednesday. They are tied for the worst defensive record in Ligue 2. Would it be a good time to mention that l’ASM have only scored 3 goals or more 3 times this year? Then the Nice grudge match on Saturday…
Category: Monaco Team News
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Comments
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Mollo is improving steadily, he might end up being another Menez though. Whats the deal with Gakpe and Bakar, neither of them are getting much of a chance to shine, I assume because of Ricardo?
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Its nice to advance in the CdF when PSG and OL both lose.
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