The Adi Hütter era at AS Monaco got off to a winning start against Clermont Foot. Les Monégasuqes had to come from behind but took the three points thanks to a Wissam Ben Yedder double (2-4).
Monaco were hoping to turn the page on an underwhelming Alexander Nübel stint. However, his replacement, Philipp Köhn made his first considerable error just seven minutes in against Clermont, diverting Mateusz Wieteska’s harmless header into the back of the net having failed to catch the ball.
Monaco gradually grew into the game over the course of the first half and hit the post through Vanderson, Mory Diaw’s fingertips the only thing preventing Les Monégasques from restoring parity. Andy Pelmard almost doubled Clermont’s lead soon after, but Vanderson did get his goal after a good interchange with Takumi Minamino.
Wissam Ben Yedder scores his 100th Monaco goal
Les Clermontois then had the chance to retake the advantage, but after his early error, Köhn redeemed himself with a good one-on-one save from Grejohn Kyei. Clermont then fell behind. Youssouf Fofana’s shot clipped off the inside of the post, and the ball fell perfectly for Wissam Ben Yedder, who finished into the empty net.
But Clermont, who surpassed expectations last season to finish eighth, weren’t out of the game, and Muhammed Cham brought the sides level once more with a composed finish. Ben Yedder then scored his 100th goal for the club with a dinked finish at the front post. Clermont then should have levelled the scores once more, but unmarked, Mehdi Zeffane couldn’t direct his header on target.
There would be another goal, but it would come for Monaco. Two substitutes combined, Eliot Matazo crossing for Maghnes Akliouche, who tapped home from close range.
Monaco player ratings
Philipp Köhn – 5 – Showed great mental strength to bounce back from his early howler and make two one-on-one saves. Far from a perfect debut, but signs that he is an improvement on Nübel.
Soungoutou Magassa – 4 – There was too much space in behind the academy product, and he was guilty of being too aggressive, pushing too high and leaving his partners exposed at times. Magassa is a midfielder by trade, and at times it showed. His distribution was nonetheless solid, and he should be in line for plenty more minutes this season, regardless of Monaco’s further recruitment.
Guillermo Maripán – 3 – The experienced member of Monaco’s three-man defence, the Chilean didn’t bring stability but instead was often found out of position. He was also culpable of leaving Zeffane unmarked late one and was lucky not to concede.
Chrislain Matsima – 5
Caio Henrique – 4
Youssouf Fofana – 5
Mohammed Camara – 5
Vanderson – 8 – The Brazilian looks like being the player to benefit most from the formation change. Hütter has brought in a 3-4-2-1 and Vanderson looks at home further up the field. He almost scored in the early stages and would have if not for a finger-tip save from Diaw. He did get his goal after some good link-up with Minamino and he was a constant threat.
Aleksandr Golovin – 4
Wissam Ben Yedder – 7 – The Monaco captain’s participation came amidst charges of rape. It was unclear whether his presence would be prevented by the ongoing investigation, but he started. Ben Yedder was his clinical best, turning up in the right places at the right time. His double means he has now scored 100 goals for the club.
Takumi Minamino – 6 – There was optimism that the Japanese international would bounce back after a difficult debut campaign in Ligue 1. That optimism may have been well-founded based on this display. He looked considerably more confident and more sure of his surroundings and positioning. He got his assist that allowed Monaco to equalise.
Clermont selected player ratings
Mory Diaw – 6 – Composed with the ball at his feet, he was flawless in his distribution. There is arguably nothing he could have done with the three goals he conceded, but he did incredibly well to get down to a well-placed Vanderson shot to turn it onto the post.
Alidu Seidu – 6 – Heavily linked with a move, he put in a respectable performance despite the three goals conceded, in front of national team manager Chris Hughton.
Muhammed Cham – 7 – A constant thorn in Monaco’s side. Having got the assist for the first, he then turned goalscorer in the second half, instigating a nice one-two before sitting the goalkeeper down and finishing high into the net from close range. In his last seven Ligue 1 games, the Austrian international has four goals and two assists.
