AS Monaco began their Coupe de France campaign with a resounding 1-4 victory against Union Saint-Jean, showcasing their skill and determination as they moved onto the Round of 32. The match, held at Union Saint-Jean's home ground, witnessed the Monegasques dominating proceedings from start to finish, reflecting the significant quality difference between the top-tier AS Monaco and their lower-league opponents.
Coached by Adi Hutter and assisted by Christian Peintinger, who stepped up due to Hutter's suspension, Monaco fielded a strong lineup to firmly respect their opponents. Despite knowing they were up against a team five divisions lower, the Monegasques approached the game with due seriousness. "It was important to have the right attitude today. We respected our opponent, which is why we came out victorious," noted striker George Ilenikhena.
The match started with Monaco dominating early play. Takumi Minamino, one of their key forwards, tested Union Saint-Jean's defense with multiple efforts. An early attempt from him was blocked, but Monaco quickly found their rhythm. Eliesse Ben Seghir opened the scoring with a well-taken goal following an assist from Breel Embolo, marking the 20th minute as the moment Monaco seized control.
Continuing their pressure, Monaco doubled their advantage just before half-time when Vanderson scored after receiving Minamino's cross. Monaco held the momentum as the first half ended with them leading 0-2, but not without some hiccups; their penalty win was thwarted as Fawzi Rabyi, the opposing goalkeeper, saved Embolo's kick.
The second half began with more action and determination from Monaco, who quickly sought to extend their lead. Within minutes, they earned another penalty, only for Rabyi to make another impressive save, denying Minamino once more. Despite these missed opportunities, Monaco's class shone through, and Jordan Teze found the net with a stunning long-range shot, bringing the score to 0-3.
Despite their commanding lead, Monaco maintained pressure. Ilenikhena, who had shown great promise throughout the match, faced the same determined keeper Rabyi multiple times. The Union goalkeeper's brilliant performance included denying several key shots, including another from Ilenikhena.
Union Saint-Jean did not fade easily; they managed to get on the scoreboard through Benjamim Tournier, who capitalized on Monaco’s temporary lapse to score, offering their supporters hope. Just as Union seemed to gain confidence, Ilenikhena struck back, restoring Monaco's three-goal advantage with his emphatic finish. His goal sealed the match at 1-4, ensuring Monaco progressed comfortably to the next round.
After the match, assistant coach Peintinger reflected on the overall performance. "It was important to qualify, and today we managed to do just what we needed against Union Saint-Jean. The atmosphere was great, and even though we missed quite a few chances, including two penalties, we held our own and transformed our performance when it counted most. Our opponent kept pushing, and it was lively out there, but we did well to regain control," stated Peintinger.
Stats from the match highlighted Monaco's dominance: they had 69% possession, created seven big chances, and outshot Union 27 to 6 overall. They delivered 12 shots on target compared to Union's 6, showcasing their clear superiority throughout the game.
Looking forward, AS Monaco will take this victory as momentum going forward, preparing for their next match against Paris Saint-Germain on January 5th, as they aim for glory both domestically and beyond. From this solid foundations, they hope to recalibrate and build on their encouraging start to the Coupe de France campaign, sometimes viewed as the stepping stone toward potential silverware. The joy of securing such significant wins against lower-division sides is often the thrill of cup football, and with performances like these, Monaco looks poised for even greater achievements as the season continues.
