AS Monaco Bounces Back with a Strong Victory Over Toulouse

Sebastien Pocognoli is finding his footing as the new head coach of Monaco. The Belgian tactician started with two draws, including a recent match against Tottenham in the Champions League, which ended 0-0. Pocognoli expressed optimism about his team’s performance despite the result, noting they had played well. This sentiment needed to translate into a win on Saturday, as Monaco faced Toulouse in Ligue 1 for the ninth matchday.

The objective was clear: secure three points to move closer to the top of the table and keep rivals at bay. Pocognoli relied on a front trio of Fati, Balogun, and Minamino to lead the attack. However, it was not the forwards who made the impact. In just the 3rd minute, Monaco found the net when Mohammed Salisu scored with a close-range header from a well-delivered cross by Ouattara.

Monaco Bounces Back

The Ghanaian international capitalized on the opportunity, putting his team ahead. Though the game lacked excitement with few chances, Monaco managed to hold onto their lead until halftime. They aimed to return with greater creativity, particularly from Ansu Fati, who remained relatively quiet despite his impressive stats.

In the second half, Monaco altered their approach. Surprisingly, Krépin Diatta and his teammates became more defensive, seemingly satisfied with a narrow win. This allowed Toulouse to take control, pushing forward but failing to break through. Toulouse’s goalkeeper, Guillaume Restes, made several crucial saves, keeping his side in the match. Ultimately, Monaco secured a slim victory of 1-0, marking Pocognoli’s first win as head coach. The Monagasques temporarily sit third in the Ligue 1 standings, pending results from other matches, while Toulouse rests in eighth place.