Saint-Etienne, France — AS Monaco take fresh victory over AS Saint-Etienne on May 3, 2025, finishing the match 3-1 in a thrilling Ligue 1 encounter at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium.
The game started strong for Monaco as Maghnes Akliouche found the net just a minute in, with a skilled left-footed shot from the center of the box, assisted by Caio Henrique.
Despite an early setback, Saint-Etienne fought back. Zuriko Davitashvili equalized in the 64th minute, scoring a stunning shot from outside the box into the top right corner, with Florian Tardieu providing the assist. The hosts seemed poised for a comeback.
However, the visitors responded decisively. Al Musrati scored in the 67th minute with a powerful right-footed shot, regaining Monaco’s lead. Folarin Balogun sealed the win for Monaco with another goal in the 77th minute, clinching victory for his side.
Saint-Etienne’s struggle was evident as they faced their fifth consecutive league defeat against Monaco. Coach Pascal Dupraz expressed disappointment post-match, saying, “Our effort was evident, but we must remain agile defensively, especially against strong opponents like Monaco.”
In the closing moments, with Saint-Etienne pressing for a late goal, they faced a daunting task, having already conceded three goals. Despite attempts from Louis Mouton and Ibrahima Wadji, the Monaco defense, notably Philipp Köhn in goal, stood strong.
Match statistics revealed that Monaco dominated with 12 total shots, while Saint-Etienne managed 16, showcasing the competitiveness of the clash. Possession was notably skewed in favor of Saint-Etienne at 59.8%, indicating their control of the central midfield, but execution was lacking in critical moments.
This victory takes Monaco’s points tally to 58, keeping them in a strong position in Ligue 1. Meanwhile, Saint-Etienne remains second-to-last, now with only 27 points and facing relegation fears as they slip further behind the safety zone.
The defeat marks a challenging season for the hosts, who still look to break their cycle of bad results. They will need to regroup quickly as they face critical matches in the closing weeks of the season.
While the match saw several late changes—players tackling injuries and tactical substitutions—the defensive line’s inability to hold firm was a key disappointment for Saint-Etienne. With upcoming games crucial for both teams, the stakes are rising as they navigate the remaining fixtures.
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