AS Monaco’s hopes of reviving their Ligue 1 campaign suffered another major setback on Saturday afternoon as they fell 3-1 to a resurgent Olympique Lyonnais at Stade Louis II. The match, held on January 3, 2026, was anticipated as a pivotal moment for both sides—Monaco desperate to halt a miserable run of form, and Lyon eager to close the gap on the Champions League qualification spots. In the end, it was Lyon’s Czech midfielder Pavel Šulc who stole the show with a brace, further cementing his status as one of the season’s standout signings.
Heading into the clash, Monaco had lost four of their previous five league games, a run that left them teetering on the edge of losing touch with the European qualification places. The pressure was mounting on head coach Sébastien Pocognoli, as fans and pundits alike wondered whether the team could rediscover the spark that had made them contenders in the early stages of the campaign. On the other side, Lyon sat in fifth place, five points adrift of the coveted UEFA Champions League slots, but buoyed by a recent victory that kept them above Rennes in the standings.
The contest kicked off at 16:00 GMT, with Monaco’s Stade Louis II providing the picturesque backdrop for what would become a dramatic encounter. Early signs suggested Monaco were eager to make amends for their recent struggles, but disaster struck in the opening exchanges. Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, a reliable presence between the sticks, was forced off with a knee injury after a collision with Šulc. Philipp Kohn was called into action far sooner than expected, tasked with steadying the ship in the wake of Hradecky’s untimely exit.
Lyon, sensing vulnerability, pressed forward. The breakthrough came in the 35th minute following a well-worked corner routine. Corentin Tolisso whipped in a dangerous delivery from the left, Nicolas Tagliafico rose highest to flick it on, and Pavel Šulc was perfectly positioned to knee the ball over the line from just a meter out. The goal was Šulc’s tenth of the campaign, and Lyon’s traveling supporters erupted in celebration.
But Monaco, to their credit, refused to buckle. As the first half ticked into stoppage time, they found a lifeline. Lyon’s usually disciplined defense faltered when a long ball was lofted toward Folarin Balogun. The forward’s presence sowed confusion, and Mamadou Coulibaly pounced, slotting the ball home to restore parity. The equalizer was met with a collective sigh of relief from the home crowd—could this be the turning point Monaco so desperately needed?
Unfortunately for Pocognoli’s men, their hopes were dashed soon after the interval. Lyon, undeterred by the setback, continued to probe Monaco’s shaky backline. In the 57th minute, Šulc once again demonstrated his predatory instincts. Picking up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, he unleashed a precise, low drive that nestled into the corner of the net, leaving Kohn with no chance. It was his eleventh goal in just 23 appearances since joining from Czech side Jablonec—a remarkable return for a player who had arrived with little fanfare.
Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca was effusive in his praise for the midfielder after the match. “He’s a different kind of player,” Fonseca remarked. “He’s not amazing technically but he’s very efficient, he works very hard for the team and the ball seems to be drawn to him.” It’s hard to argue with the assessment—Šulc’s knack for being in the right place at the right time has transformed Lyon’s midfield and provided the team with a much-needed cutting edge.
Monaco’s task went from difficult to near impossible in the 70th minute. Coulibaly, the first-half hero, turned villain when he was shown a straight red card for a dangerous high tackle on Tagliafico. Down to ten men, Monaco’s resistance began to crumble. Lyon capitalized on their numerical advantage late in the match, with Brazilian defender Abner Vinicius adding a third goal to put the result beyond doubt.
The defeat marked Monaco’s sixth loss in their last seven league outings—a brutal run that has seen them slide down the table and away from their European ambitions. For a club with such a proud history and lofty expectations, the current malaise is cause for concern. Coach Pocognoli, who has faced mounting scrutiny in recent weeks, now finds himself under even greater pressure to arrest the slide.
Adding to the uncertainty is the ongoing saga surrounding Paul Pogba. The former Monaco star’s potential return to the club has been the subject of intense speculation, with supporters hoping his experience and quality could provide a much-needed boost. However, Pocognoli poured cold water on any immediate hopes during a recent media briefing. “There is currently no set date for Pogba’s return to action with Monaco,” he confirmed, emphasizing that the club is carefully assessing both his fitness and readiness for competitive play. “We are hopeful, but several factors must be considered before finalizing any decisions.”
The lack of clarity regarding Pogba’s situation only adds to the sense of unease at Stade Louis II. While the club’s management continues to monitor developments closely, the reality is that Monaco must find solutions with their current squad if they are to salvage their season. The midfield, once seen as a potential area of strength, has struggled to exert control in recent weeks, and the absence of a figure like Pogba has been keenly felt.
For Lyon, Saturday’s victory represents a significant step forward. The three points keep them firmly in the hunt for European football, and with Šulc in such scintillating form, optimism is growing among the Lyon faithful. The Czech midfielder’s impact has been nothing short of transformative—his 11 goals in 23 games have provided a spark that was sorely lacking last season. Fonseca’s side now sits just two points behind the Champions League qualification spots, and with momentum on their side, few would bet against them mounting a serious challenge in the weeks ahead.
As for Monaco, the road ahead looks daunting. With six defeats in seven games, questions abound regarding the team’s mentality, tactical approach, and ability to turn things around. The injury to Hradecky only compounds their woes, and the looming uncertainty over Pogba’s return offers little comfort. Yet, football has a way of springing surprises—could a change in fortune be just around the corner?
For now, Lyon’s triumph at Stade Louis II stands as a testament to the power of resilience and the impact of an inspired signing. As the Ligue 1 season rolls on, all eyes will be on both clubs—the former looking to recapture lost glory, the latter dreaming of a return to Europe’s grandest stage.