Ligue 1, Round 16, 28/12/2022
AS Monaco secured a late victory against Auxerre (2-3) thanks to Eliesse Ben Seghir’s brilliance. The youngster netted in the 85th minute in a back-and-forth fixture at the Stade Abbe Deschamps.
Monaco offered very little in the first-half and perhaps deservedly found themselves behind. Eliot Matazo brought down Lassine Sinayoko in the air, and M’Baye Niang converted from the spot. Despite creating very little, Monaco did nonetheless go in level thanks to a Wissam Ben Yedder penalty after Takumi Minamino was clipped in the box.
Unhappy with what he had seen in the first half, Philippe Clement made three changes at the break, bringing off Matazo, Ben Yedder and Minamino, with 17-year-old Ben Seghir, Aleksandr Golovin and Youssouf Fofana all coming on. Two of those substitutes, Golovin and Ben Seghir, combined to complete the Monaco turnaround.
Under 15 minutes into his Ligue 1 debut, Ben Seghir slotted home inside the box after being played in by Golovin. However, the other substitute, Fofana, would have a role to play with a goal at the wrong end. The midfielder, who competed in the World Cup final for France just 10 days ago instinctively flicked in a harmless Auxerre corner to allow the relegation-threatened side an unlikely route back into the fixture.
However, Ben Seghir popped up again, curling into the far post from outside the box with just five minutes of regulation time remaining. It was the brilliance at the Monaco academy product that ultimately won the match Clement’s side, and which provisionally moves them up into fifth place.
AS Monaco player ratings
Alexander Nübel – 5 – Made a couple of important stops, but couldn’t do too much about Auxerre’s goals. He has only saved two penalties in his whole career, and he couldn’t add to that figure as M’Baye Niang slotted past him.
Ismaïl Jakobs – 5
Guillermo Maripán – 5
Malang Sarr – 4 – He replaced Benoît Badiashile on the night, and given the Monaco academy product is strongly linked with a move away from the Principality side this winter, he may have to fill the role on a more permanent basis. The Chelsea loanee has lacked gametime so far this season, and it showed in some of his decision-making, as he got too close on a couple of occasions.
Ruben Aguilar – 5
Takumi Minamino – 5 – Largely uninspiring in the first-half, the Japanese international did nonetheless do well to wriggle into the box just before half-time and win the penalty, which was converted by Ben Yedder.
Mohamed Camara – 5
Eliot Matazo – 3 – Brought in to cover for Youssouf Fofana, who competed in the World Cup final for France just 10 days ago, he found himself hooked at half-time. His tackle on Sinayoko inside the box allowed Auxerre to take a surprise lead. Things didn’t get better for the Belgian youth international. He was then responsible for Auxerre’s other big chance, stepping up to allow runners in behind when he should have dropped off. He was then replaced by Fofana at half-time, an unwanted but perhaps necessary substitution made by Clement.
Gelson Martins – 5
Breel Embolo – 5
Wissam Ben Yedder – 5 – Largely uninvolved, but as always, ice-cool from the spot to allow Monaco to equalise just before half-time. As Monaco changed formation during the break, Ben Yedder made way.
Others:
Eliesse Ben Seghir – 8 – The Monaco youth product has looked impressive for the academy this season, especially in a match against Manchester United. He then had the chance to shine against Leeds United in a friendly during the World Cup break, and he took his chance. He has seemingly gained Clement’s confidence, with the youngster coming on at the break. What ensued was one of the most eye-catching Ligue 1 debuts in recent times. He scored his first within his first 15 minutes on the pitch, showing brilliant composure to finish inside the box. He continued to catch the eye with some intelligent passes and dazzling dribbles, before netting a second with a sumptuous curling drive from just outside the box. The 17-year-old was the match-winner for Monaco on the night.
Aleksandr Golovin – 6
Youssouf Fofana – 4
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
