Monaco faced Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for the French Super Cup on January 5, 2025, but fell short, losing 1-0. Monaco's Takumi Minamino played the full match but was unable to contribute to the scoreline.
The game took place in Doha, Qatar, marking the first significant clash of the new football season. PSG, who had won two domestic titles last season, aimed to capture their 13th Super Cup title. The anticipation was palpable, with both teams eager to make a strong start to 2025.
Minamino, making his mark as Monaco's key player, started the match as the attacking midfielder and had several opportunities to score. Early on, he joined the offensive efforts, making promising attempts but coming up just short. At 16 minutes, he dove to meet a grounder cross from the right but could not connect just before halftime.
Despite his commitment and energy throughout the match, the goal kept eluding him. The first half ended goalless, with both teams displaying strong defenses and the midfield battle being intense. Minamino's most notable attempt arrived just before halftime, where he launched a volley following some confusion inside PSG's box, only for the effort to be thwarted by the opposition’s goalkeeper.
Moving to the second half, Minamino continued to push for the advance, demonstrating his agility and tactical awareness. He managed to seize this momentum around the 70th minute, unleashing another shot from outside the box. His relentless pursuit was palpable as he fought to capitalize on any defensive errors from PSG, demonstrating flair typical of his playing style.
Unfortunately for Monaco, the match took a decisive turn during the stoppage time of the second half. PSG's forward, Dembélé, found the back of the net, securing the victory with just moments left to play. The scoreboard read 1-0, denying Monaco any chance of notching their first title since 2000. It was yet another crowning achievement for PSG, extending their record to 13 Super Cup titles, marking their third consecutive victory, reaffirming their dominance within French football.
The match served as hard evidence of PSG's prowess and consistency, but it also highlighted Monaco's resilience under pressure. Despite the loss, Minamino's full 90-minute effort showed promise as they look forward to building on their early season experiences. With lessons learned from this match, Monaco aims to refine their strategy moving forward.
Looking forward, Monaco will have to navigate the coming league matches with the lessons learned from their encounter with PSG. Minamino's performance, though lacking on the score sheet, illustrated his potential and the possibilities for Monaco as they aim for greater achievements this season.