PLAYER RATINGS | Monaco 1-3 Lorient: Sébastien Pocognoli’s side stunned by Lorient and concede more ground in race for Europe

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 18, 16/01/25

AS Monaco’s torrid run of form continued as they were defeated on their home turf by FC Lorient (1-3). Sébastien Pocognoli’s men have now lost seven of their last eight in Ligue 1, with their only win coming against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Match

With Monaco’s ultras on strike, there was little atmosphere inside the Stade Louis II and so it was up to the players themselves to create the conditions of a competitive match, to bring the intensity. Despite a string of half-chances for the home side through Folarin Balogun (2′, 7′) and Mika Biereth (1′, 12′), it was a tepid start. Lorient were happy to sit deep, especially given Les Monégasques’ lack of movement and intent. 

The few fans gathered inside the Stade Louis II grew increasingly restless as they watched an uncreative and unprobing Monaco side circulate the ball without any incision. And ultimately they were thankful to go into the break with the scores all level. Bamba Dieng had found the back of the net in the 38th minute, but Pablo Pagis, offside, was adjudged to have impeded Philipp Kohn’s view.

Monaco’s ultras ended their strike at half-time, bringing a bit of energy to a lifeless encounter. Their energy was not transmitted to their players. One player who did look more lively, however, was Maghnes Akliouche, a player capable of changing a game all on his own and he almost did so just before the hour mark when he cut inside on the edge of the box and stung the palms of Yvon Mvogo.

But the Principality club never built up any true momentum and it was the visitors who struck first. It was the scorer of the disallowed goal in the first half, Dieng, who got it, nipping in to beat Eric Dier to the ball before honing in on goal and beating Kohn. 

Monaco were reliant on an inspired appearance off the bench from Ansu Fati to drag themselves back into the game. He was played through by Balogun, and although his first effort was well saved by Mvogo, he was on his toes to get to the rebound and stab home.

Les Merlus looked like a team that would have to cling on to take any points but, instead, they retook the lead thanks to a heavily deflected Jean-Victor Makengo effort. And Olivier Pantolini’s side put the wounded beast out of its misery in the 88th minute as Dermane Karim cut in on his right foot and put a curled effort into the top corner. Only 32 Lorient supporters made the journey but you could only hear them in the final minutes as they savoured a famous victory that massively boosts their survival hopes. 

Monaco player ratings

Philipp Kohn – 4

Caio Henrique – 4

Wout Faes – 3

Eric Dier – 2

An atrocious night for the Englishman. He was completely at fault for Lorient’s opener, caught dozing by Dieng. He was unfortunate for the second, which may eventually go down as an own goal and he was not tight enough on Karim for the third. He was at the scene of the crime for all three goals.

Kassoum Ouattara – 3

Denis Zakaria – 4

Jordan Teze – 2

A substandard performance from start to finish. It isn’t thought that he was one of the players affected by a virus that ripped through the club this week, but you wouldn’t know that from his lethargic demeanour, evident from the opening minutes. Incapable of finding a teammate, his poor passing and poor positioning provided opportunities to Lorient throughout.

Maghnes Akliouche – 4

Aleksandr Golovin – 4

Folarin Balogun – 6

The only starter who can take any pride in his performance. He was strong in his link-up and got the assist. He could have been more clinical with his first-half chances, however. 

Mika Biereth – 4

Lorient selected player ratings

Bamba Dieng – 7

The former Olympique de Marseille man was the livewire for Lorient. He had little to feed off but when he got the ball, he always looked like doing something. He was clinical with his finish in the first half, even if it was chalked off and he sensed the opportunity on the goal that did stand, stealing in front of Dier and keeping his composure to apply the finish.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco