Rotated and reduced to ten, AS Monaco loses to Lens | OneFootball

With a young and heavily rotated squad, then reduced to 10 players shortly after the break, the Rouge et Blanc lost their final game of the season at Bollaert-Delelis. They nevertheless finished in third place and will play in the Champions League next year.

With a significantly reshuffled team, and then reduced to ten, AS Monaco would lose at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis against RC Lens (4-0). It was a defeat that had no impact on the standings as the Rouge et Blanc finished the season in third place and will play in the Champions League from September.. ✍️

The context 📅

Winners over Lyon last weekend, AS Monaco was assured of playing in the Champions League again. If the 31st podium in the history of the Club – a record in France – is now validated, the Rouge et Blanc wanted to obtain a good result in Lens to potentially steal second place from OM, in the event of a poor performance by Les Olympiens against Rennes.

We're going to Lens to try to win because we still have the chance to finish second since we don't know what Marseille will do at the same time. Our goal is to get a good result against a good Lens team; finishing second would be a great achievement.

The XI 👥

For this final match of the season, Adi Hütter decided to make many changes, with the return of George Ilenikhena to lead the line. He would be supported by Krépin Diatta, Takumi Minamino, named captain, and Eliesse Ben Seghir. Lamine Camara and Soungoutou Magassa played in midfield, while Jordan Teze makes his third consecutive start.

The scenario 🎞

In front of no fewer than 1,000 Monaco supporters, the match took a while to get going. The first opportunity came in the 11th minute when Diouf saw his shot blocked by his teammate Koyalipou. The Rouge et Blanc responded through Takumi Minamino whose cross was cleared in a hurry (17′), and then Eliesse Ben Seghir had a shot from the right flirt with Ryan’s post (19′).

A reaction after conceding the opener

Although Monaco had the upper hand, the home side nevertheless scored the opening goal with a header from El Aynaoui (21′). It was then close to being 2-0, but Koyalipou’s goal was ruled out by VAR for a foul on Lamine Camara (29′).

After this incident, Adi Hütter’s men finished better, and the Japanese player stumbled against the Lens goalkeeper (32′), as did George Ilenikhena (39′). Halftime thus came with the score 1-0 for the Sang et Or.

AS Monaco go down to 10 men, and Lens take advantage

Right after the restart, the Lens striker tried his luck from distance, but it went just wide (46′). Unfortunately, the Rouge et Blanc were subsequently reduced to 10 men after Soungoutou Magassa was sent off (52′). Lens would make pay on that immediately, as the home side scored a second goal through El Aynaoui, who had a double (56′). Adi Hütter then made a substitution, bringing on Saïmon Bouabré (66′).

With this advantage, Le Sang et Or continued to push, and Medina’s shot was too far across the bar (69′). Vanderson responded immediately, his attempt being blocked by Ryan (71′). But it was Thomasson who would score Lens’ third goal from a corner (71′), followed by Zaroury’s fourth (78′).

The Rouge et Blanc finish third

Nothing further happened after that, and the referee blew the whistle to end the match with the score 4-0 in favor of Lens. It was a defeat of no consequence, as AS Monaco finished the season in third place and will compete in the Champions League starting in September, their eighth appearance in the group stage.

Key moments 🎥

11′: Diouf’s is shot blocked by Koyalipou 17′: Minamino’s cross is cleared by the defense 19′: Ben Seghir’s shot goes slightly wide 21′: El Aynaoui’s header goes in off the post (1-0) 29′: Koyalipou’s goal is disallowed for a foul on Camara 32′: Minamino’s volley is deflected for a corner by Ryan 39′: Ryan saves against Ilenikhena at the near post 46′: Koyalipou tries from distance, but just misses 52′: Magassa gets a red card after grabbing Koyalipou’s jersey 56′: El Aynaoui doubles the lead (2-0) 69′: Medina’s left-footed shot is overhit 71′: Vanderson’s powerful shot is on target but saved by Ryan 73′: Thomasson scores Lens’ third goal from close range (3-0) 78′: Zaroury nets the fourth goal with a curling shot (4-0)

🗓️ Match details:

Saturday, May 17 2025 (21:00) – Stade Bollaert-Delelis

Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Matchday 34: RC Lens – AS Monaco

Halftime: 1-0

Goals: El Ayanaoui (21′, 56′), Thomasson (73′), Zaroury (78′) for Lens

Bookings: Medina (43′) for Lens; Diatta (45+2′) for AS Monaco

Red cards: Magassa (52′) forAS Monaco

Lens: Ryan – Gradit, Bah, Medina – Aguilar, Mendy, El Aynaoui (Saïd, 88′), Zaroury – Thomasson, Koyalipou (Satriano, 80′), Diouf (Sotoca, 80′)

Substitutes: Karolewicz, Koffi, Celik, Pouilly, Sarr, Fulgini, Saïd, Satriano, Sotoca

Manager: Will Still