AS Monaco Vs Montpellier

Riding high on the momentum of a three-match winning streak across all competitions, AS Monaco are set to face Montpellier HSC at the Stade Louis II this Saturday. The fixture marks an important opportunity for Adi Hütter's side to maintain pressure on the reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the top of the table. Monaco, who are in scintillating form, will be keen to extend their winning run, while Montpellier will seek to build on their narrow victory over Auxerre, which secured their first win of the 2024-25 campaign.

Monaco's Form and Resilience

Monaco enters this match after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Le Havre in their previous Ligue 1 outing, where they survived a scare to claim all three points. Adi Hütter’s men displayed resilience and composure despite a brief scare from the newly promoted side. The game saw Monaco break the deadlock early, with Jordan Teze finding the net within the first nine minutes. However, Le Havre mounted a challenge, equalizing through a stunning effort from Daler Kuzyaev, who struck from outside the box to beat Monaco's goalkeeper.

As the game progressed, Le Havre came close to taking a shock lead, but their celebrations were cut short when the goal was ruled offside by a mere fraction. This reprieve spurred Monaco on, and they capitalized in the latter stages, with substitute Eliesse Ben Seghir restoring their lead before Folarin Balogun sealed the win in the closing moments. It was a display of Monaco’s grit and determination, qualities that have been at the forefront of their performances under Hütter this season.

Despite the departure of club talisman Wissam Ben Yedder during the summer transfer window, Monaco has continued to thrive, showcasing their attacking prowess. With 13 points from five matches, the same tally as PSG and Marseille, Monaco’s start to the season is their best since the title-winning 2016-17 campaign. The only factor keeping them in third place on the table is a slightly lower goal difference compared to their rivals. However, with Marseille not playing until Sunday, a win or draw on Saturday could see Monaco temporarily climb to second, at least until the weekend's remaining fixtures are concluded. Meanwhile, PSG will be in action against Rennes on Friday night, a game that could also impact Monaco’s standing.

Monaco’s next European challenge looms just around the corner, as they prepare to face Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League on October 2. However, Hütter’s focus will be firmly on maintaining their domestic momentum, as they aim to secure an eighth win in nine Ligue 1 matches. With hopes of a sustained title push starting to build, the home fixture against Montpellier presents an ideal opportunity for Monaco to continue asserting their dominance.

Montpellier’s Struggles and First Victory of the Season

In contrast to Monaco’s early-season success, Montpellier has endured a challenging start to the 2024-25 Ligue 1 campaign. Michel Der Zakarian’s side finally registered their first victory of the season in matchweek five, edging a thrilling 3-2 encounter against Auxerre. It was a much-needed win for a team that had suffered three heavy defeats in their opening four matches, including a 6-0 hammering by PSG, a 3-1 loss to Nantes, and a 3-0 defeat to Rennes. However, the victory over Auxerre showcased Montpellier’s ability to score goals, even if defensive frailties remain a concern.

Veteran captain Téji Savanier was instrumental in the victory, setting up two goals for the in-form Akor Adams, a striker who has been attracting attention from Chelsea. Adams’ brace proved decisive, as Montpellier claimed all three points, with Modibo Sagnan also contributing with a header. For La Paillade, it was a rare moment of joy in what has otherwise been a difficult start to the season.

Despite the victory, Montpellier remains in a precarious position, hovering just above the relegation zone in 15th place. With only five points from their first five games, they sit just two points clear of bottom-placed Angers. The team’s defensive record is particularly worrying, as they have already conceded 15 goals – an average of three per game – the most in the division. If they are to avoid another relegation battle, tightening up at the back will be a priority for Der Zakarian.

Montpellier’s recent form on the road offers little cause for optimism ahead of their trip to Monaco. They have lost their last five away games in all competitions, a run that includes both competitive and non-competitive fixtures. Furthermore, their recent meetings with Monaco have not been encouraging. Last season, Monaco did the double over Montpellier, winning both encounters 2-0. However, Montpellier will take some solace in the fact that they secured a shock 4-0 win at the Stade Louis II in the 2022-23 season, a result that stunned French football at the time.

Key Players to Watch

Monaco’s squad is brimming with talent, and several players have been instrumental in their strong start to the season. Jordan Teze has emerged as a key figure in defense, providing stability at the back while also chipping in with crucial goals, as evidenced by his opener against Le Havre. Meanwhile, Eliesse Ben Seghir continues to develop as one of Monaco’s brightest young talents. His ability to make an impact off the bench, as he did against Le Havre, has added an extra dimension to Monaco’s attack.

Up front, Folarin Balogun has seamlessly integrated into Monaco’s setup following his summer move. The former Arsenal forward has already found the net multiple times this season and will be looking to add to his tally against a porous Montpellier defense. Balogun’s combination of pace, power, and clinical finishing makes him a constant threat in the final third.

For Montpellier, Akor Adams will be the man to watch. The Nigerian forward has started the season in fine form, with his brace against Auxerre highlighting his predatory instincts in front of goal. With Téji Savanier pulling the strings in midfield, Adams will be hoping to exploit any defensive lapses from Monaco. Savanier’s vision and creativity remain integral to Montpellier’s attacking play, and if he can dictate the tempo, Montpellier could cause Monaco some problems.

Tactical Battle

Adi Hütter’s Monaco side has been characterized by their high-intensity, attacking style of play this season. Hütter favors a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation, which allows Monaco to press high up the pitch and create overloads in wide areas. The pace and movement of their attacking players, particularly Balogun, enables Monaco to stretch opposition defenses, while the midfield pivot provides stability and control in the center of the park.

Defensively, Monaco has been solid, although they have shown occasional vulnerability to counterattacks, as evidenced by Le Havre’s equalizer in their last outing. Hütter will be keen to ensure that his side maintains concentration at the back, particularly against a Montpellier side that possesses pace on the break.

For Montpellier, Der Zakarian may opt for a more pragmatic approach, given his team’s defensive struggles. A compact 4-4-2 setup could be on the cards, with the emphasis on soaking up pressure and hitting Monaco on the counter. Adams’ pace and physicality will be crucial in stretching Monaco’s defense, while Savanier’s creativity will be key in unlocking Monaco’s backline.

Historical Context and Recent Meetings

Monaco has traditionally held the upper hand in this fixture, particularly in recent years. Last season, they won both home and away fixtures against Montpellier, keeping clean sheets on both occasions. However, as previously mentioned, Montpellier stunned Monaco with a 4-0 victory at the Stade Louis II just two seasons ago, a result that serves as a reminder that anything can happen in Ligue 1.

Overall, Monaco’s home form has been impressive, and they will be confident of extending their winning streak. Montpellier, on the other hand, will be desperate to build on their win over Auxerre and climb further away from the relegation zone. However, their recent struggles away from home suggest that this could be a difficult afternoon for La Paillade.

Conclusion

As Monaco and Montpellier prepare to face off at the Stade Louis II, the home side will be full of confidence, looking to extend their winning run and keep pace with PSG at the top of the table. With a potent attack and a solid defensive unit, Monaco will be favorites to claim all three points. However, Montpellier will not be short of motivation, knowing that they must start picking up points consistently to avoid another relegation battle. A thrilling contest awaits, with both teams eager to secure a vital result.