AS Monaco Fall to 3-1 Defeat Against Lorient After Red Card Setback

AS Monaco’s three-match winning run in Ligue 1 came to an abrupt end on Saturday as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to FC Lorient at the Stade du Moustoir. The Principality side were reduced to ten men in the first half, with Thilo Kehrer dismissed after two bookings, and were ultimately punished by a clinical Lorient performance.

Despite a late consolation from Ansu Fati, who scored his fourth goal in the French top flight, Adi Hütter’s side left Brittany empty-handed on matchday six.

Early Setback for Monaco

The visitors arrived weakened by several absences but buoyed by victories over Strasbourg, Auxerre and Metz. Hütter set up his team in a 3-4-1-2 formation, handing a start in attack to teenage forward George Ilenikhena after his impressive cameos from the bench.

Monaco began cautiously, with Takumi Minamino twice going close before disaster struck in the 38th minute. Kehrer, already booked early on, received a second yellow card for a challenge that was deemed harsh by many observers. From the resulting free-kick, Lorient capitalised as Kouassi’s delivery was volleyed in by Eli Junior Kroupi Bamba to make it 1-0.

The hosts pressed for more before the interval, forcing goalkeeper Philipp Köhn into action with efforts from Bamba and Tosin.

Lorient Take Control

Hütter introduced Krépin Diatta and Folarin Balogun at half-time in search of a response, but Monaco struggled to fashion clear chances. Instead, Lorient extended their lead in the 76th minute when Eliott Pagis combined with Souleymane Soumano before finishing clinically.

Six minutes later, Pagis struck again with a superb curling shot into the top corner, effectively sealing the contest at 3-0.

Teenage midfielder Pape Cabral made his Ligue 1 debut late on for Monaco and almost marked it with a goal, but his effort was denied by Yvon Mvogo.

Fati’s Late Strike Not Enough

Balogun won a penalty deep into stoppage time, which Fati converted to reduce the deficit. However, it proved too little, too late, as Lorient celebrated a convincing home victory.

The defeat leaves Monaco looking to regroup quickly ahead of their midweek Champions League clash against holders Manchester City at the Stade Louis-II.

Key Moments

40’: Bamba volleys Lorient into the lead from a Kouassi cross (1-0).

76’: Pagis doubles the advantage after combining with Soumano (2-0).

82’: Pagis curls in his second to make it three (3-0).

90+8’: Fati converts a penalty to give Monaco a late consolation (3-1).

Match Facts

Goals: Bamba (40’), Pagis (76’, 82’) for Lorient; Fati (90+8’, pen.) for Monaco.
Bookings: Karim (46’), Bamba (48’) for Lorient; Kehrer (9’, 38’) for Monaco.
Red Card: Kehrer (38’, second yellow).

Lorient XI: Mvogo; Meïté, Talbi, Faye; Le Bris, Avom, Abergel (c), Kouassi; Tosin (Makengo 62’), Bamba (Soumano 62’), Karim (Pagis 72’).
Manager: Olivier Pantaloni.

AS Monaco XI: Köhn; Kehrer (c), Dier, Mawissa; Vanderson (Diatta 46’), Teze, Coulibaly (Cabral 81’), C. Henrique; Minamino (Idumbo 65’); Biereth (Balogun 46’), Ilenikhena (Fati 65’).
Manager: Adi Hütter.