bad operation for AS Monaco, captured by Cypriots in Paphos

The Kingdom players conceded an equalizer in the 88th minute on Wednesday at the Paphos pitch (2-2).

Three weeks after its success outside the arctic circle against Bodo/Glimt, Monaco must take advantage of another trip to Europe’s borders to clear their horizons in the Champions League. However, on the Cypriot team’s pitch in Paphos, the Monegasque team wasted a great opportunity to take a big step towards qualifying for the play-offs, Wednesday 26 November, on the 5th day of the Champions League. Despite leading the score for a long time, the Kingdom players conceded at the end of the match (2-2).

It was enough to leave regrets for the Monegasques who quickly took the lead thanks to goals from Takumin Minamino (1-0, 5) and Folarin Balogun (2-0, 26). But Rocher’s players were too fragile at set pieces. From a corner, former Parisian David Luiz equalized for the first time, with a powerful header (1-1, 18th). At the end of the match, the unfortunate Mohammed Salisu scored against his team with a pool shot from a new corner kick (2-2, 88th). A real blow for Monaco, who thought they had achieved a second European success, but showed too much ease in the second half.

And once again, the result could have been worse if Ivan Kruzliak, the match referee, had taken the time to analyze Denis Zakaria’s hand in the Monegasque area, on the last ball of the match. However, after blowing the whistle to signal the end of the match, the Slovakian referee did not budge and AS Monaco almost escaped even though VAR could have intervened. But the Monegasques can mainly blame themselves for dropping out in a particularly boring second half, on the pitch of one of the Little Thumbs of the Champions League.

Although Opta’s latest forecast predicts it will take 9 points to qualify for the play-offs, Monaco (6 points) will need to get at least three points in their last three games against Galatasaray, Real Madrid and Juventus Turin. Suffice it to say that two points dropped in Cyprus, after leading twice, could weigh heavily in the balance when it comes time to draw conclusions.