A dominant AS Monaco draw against a tenacious Strasbourg

Despite numerous chance and a goals disallowed for offside on both sides, the Rouge et Blanc eventually shared the points with the Alsatian club (0-0), but still provisionally retained second place.

They did everything to win. Overall, they dominated against a strong Strasbourg team, and AS Monaco players walked away with a draw in the 30th matchday of Ligue 1. The score ended up level under the eyes of HSH Prince Albert II and President Dmitry Rybolovlev, who were both present at the Stade Louis-II.

The context

The Rouge et Blanc approached this new home match with confidence, strong in having won six straight matches in a row at home, including last weekend’s big win over Marseille (3-0). But RCSA is the team in form Ligue 1 in 2025, with 27 points and a second-place finish in the second half of the league season. So we had to beware.

“It’s a bit of a surprise, I like their style of play. (…) Many players play at a very high level, especially in midfield like Félix Lemarechal. Dilane Bakwa is a big threat, we also know the speed of Emanuel Emegha. Left-back Diego Moreira is also a good player, who is fast.” – Adi Hütter, On Strasbourg

The XI

To face this major challenge, coach Adi Hütter decide to trust the team which lined up against Les Olympiens, with the exception of the return to defense for Christian Mawissa on his 20th birthday -alongside Wilfried Singo. For the rest, it was a classic flat 4-4-2 formation.

The scenario

The match began in a great atmosphere, thanks in particular to the success of the “Tous au Stade” campaign, with the presence of 2,500 young players from the region. But it took an exceptional block from Christian Mawissa from the feet of Emegha to prevent the Dutchman from opening the score and not spoil the start (9′). The response was organized and Maghnes Akliouche forced Petrović to work hard with a quick shot (19′).

A goal disallowed by a few centimeters

The game was evenly matched and the battle raged in midfield, but fouls multiplied and opportunities were few and far between, even though the Alsatian goalkeeper and then Philipp Köhn had to deflect two dangerous crosses (41′). The two teams were level at halftime, despite a goal from Mika Biereth being disallowed for Caio Henrique being offside by a few centimeters (45 + 2′).

Köhn decisive on the opponent’s first shot

The second half began as the first had ended, with fierce duels and some technical lapses. It wasn’t until the 66th minute that Strasbourg’s first shot was seen, with two attempts in quick succession from Barco, one going over the bar and the other saved by Monaco’s last defender.

A final quarter of an hour at 100 miles an hour

The response was swift, and AS Monaco’s Danish striker hit his shot, but Petrović saved it (68′). The chances continued to lead to RCSA’s goal, and Eliesse Ben Seghir could have scored twice, first with a header (74′) and then from distance (76′), without success. The match heated up, and Folarin Balogun, also a substitute, had a header that Petrović slammed over the bar (83′).

An almost frustrating draw

Monegasque captain Denis Zakaria then also had two chances, but neither found the target (84′ and 90′). The final minutes were a frenzy, and a shudder ran through the Stade Louis-II when Emegha saw his goal also ruled out for offside (85′).

The score remained goalless until the end, and AS Monaco and Strasbourg drew 0-0.

Key moments 🎥

9′: Mawissa makes an exceptional block at Emegha’s feet
14′: Caio Henrique’s free kick finds Akliouche, but Petrović intervenes
19′: Akliouche’s quick shot is blocked by Petrović
31′: Bakwa’s powerful shot is blocked by Caio Henrique
41′: Embolo’s cutback from 6 meters is cleared by Petrović
41′: Bakwa’s cross is blocked by Köhn for a corner
45+2′: Biereth’s goal is disallowed for Caio Henrique being offside
66′: Moreira’s deflection finds Barco, whose attempt goes wide
66′: Barco fires from distance, but Köhn makes a diving save
68′: Biereth’s cross is blocked by Petrović
74′: Akliouche’s cross finds Ben Seghir but he heads over
76′: Akliouche’s pass finds Ben Seghir who misses the target
83′: Balogun’s header from a Magassa cross is saved by Petrović
84′: Ben Seghir’s corner for Zakaria’s header over
85′: Emegha’s header is ruled out for offside
90′: Zakaria’s chipped ball goes over the bar