Takumi Minamino scores a double to be in MVP mode against Belgrade | OneFootball

Remarkable on this third matchday of the Champions League in a win against Red Star (5-1), notably scoring a double, the Japanese international was elected MVP of the match by the fans on the AS Monaco App.

“I always wanted this trophy,” he said in the mixed zone, with a big smile! On Tuesday night, Takumi Minamino  was named man of the match by UEFA after a big win by AS Monaco against Red Star Belgrade (5-1), on the program for the 3rd matchday of the Champions League, a victory to which the Japanese international greatly contributed, scoring twice.

First double of his career in the Champions League

Lined up at the heart of a 4-2-3-1 composed of an attacking line with three creative players, alongside Maghnes Akliouche and Eliesse Ben Seghir, Takumi Minamino would kick things off in this match. Well played in by Wilfried Singo, the latter intelligently sprung the offside trap and neat the opposing goalkeeper with an unstoppable flat-footed effort (1-0, 20′).

It was a goal  whose validity will be confirmed by the VAR, to launch AS Monaco perfectly in this match. Then, Breel Embolo and Wilfried Singo would prove themselves in turn decisive, thus allowing the Club to take the lead again, then to take off (3-1). All this, before Taki’ scored the first double of his career in the Champions League in the final 20 minutes of the second half.

I always have a good feeling when I play with him. He is a very strong player who manages to keep the ball well. He is capable of making assists and scoring goals, he is a fairly complete player. And I must say that my preferred position is behind the striker, so I think we are both quite complementary.

An assist to top it all off

After a high recovery in the opponent’s 30 meters by Maghnes, Breel Embolo was  found in the penalty area and perfectly played in the Japanese who just had to finish (4-1, 70′). But it wasn’t over yet! In stoppage time, the 29-year-old midfielder played in the French U-21 international behind the defence, who woudl complete the success of the Rouge et Blanc with a curling shot (5-1, 96′).

MVP for the second time this season

With two goals and an assist (three duels won, one tackle), our number 18 was therefore elected MVP of the match by the Monaco supporters on the AS Monaco App with more than 69% of the votes, for the second time this season after the same against AS Saint-Etienne.The Japanese thus finished ahead of Maghnes Akliouche (11%) and Wilfried Singo (9%). Bravo Taki’! 👏

*In parentheses, the number of match MVPs won during the season