PLAYER RATINGS | Lorient 2-2 Monaco: Wissam Ben Yedder rescues late point for Les Monégasques – Get French Football News

Ligue 1, Gameweek 18, 11/01/23

AS Monaco rescued a late draw through Wissam Ben Yedder, after a quickfire double from Lorient looked to have secured the victory for Régis Le Bris’ side. 

Monaco constructed the first chance of the match from nothing. From range, Mohamed Camara tried his luck, striking the bar flush with former Monégasque Vito Mannone beaten. Lorient then came close just minutes later when Terem Moffi was slotted through on goal. but he couldn’t beat the imposing figure of Alexander Nübel, who made himself big and made the stop. 

The Principality side looked to have won a penalty when Breel Embolo opportunely intercepted a backpass and was wiped out by Mannone. However, despite the foul itself being confirmed, an offside in the build-up prevented the taking of the penalty.

Embolo would, however, get his chance in the second-half, and he took it with aplomb. Fed the ball in the box by Camara, he displayed great strength and skill to work space ad finish past Mannone. In search of a second, Monaco struck the bar again, this time through Axel Disasi from a corner. 

Just minutes later, Lorient equalised, Dango Ouattara rising highest from an Enzo Le Fée corner to level the scores. Les Merlus’ tails were up, and with the crowd in Le Moustoir roaring them on, Lorient took the lead just minutes later through Moffi, who finished well on the break.

Monaco then hit the bar for a third time. This time is was Youssouf Fofana, whose curling effort struck the underside of the bar, before bouncing to safety. However, Monaco would get their deserved goal through substitute WIssam Ben Yedder, who got on the end of a teasing cross deep into injury time. The draw consolidates Monaco’s fifth place. Lorient remain hot on their heels.

Lorient

Vito Mannone – 5

Vincent Le Goff – 5

Bamo Meïté – 6 

Montassar Talbi – 4

Gédéon Kalulu – 5

Laurent Abergel – 7 – Lorient’s attacking players often attract all the attention, but captain Abergel is critical to the functioning of this team, and he metronomic midfielder allowed Les Merlus to control large periods of the game. His perfectly placed and weighted pass for Terem Moffi created Lorient’s biggest chance of the first-half, and his high pass accuracy allowed the home side to circulate the ball, and create spaces to exploit in wide areas.

Bonke Innocent – 5

Yoann Cathline – 6 – He dominated his opposite number – Vanderson. However, having beaten him on several occasions, he failed to find the finish or the pass to alter the course of the game.  

Dango Ouattara – 7 – Like Cathline on the opposite wing, Ouattara looked dangerous throughout, and forced the usually marauding Henrique to defend more than he would have liked. He took his one big chance of the match emphatically. 

Enzo Le Fée – 5

Terem Moffi – 6 – The Nigerian striker was uncharacteristically profligate with his finishing, and struggled to get involved in the game for large periods of the game. Nübel saved brilliantly from him twice, and on both occasions, Moffi arguably should have done better, and perhaps shown more composure to opt for a more deft finish. However, he made no mistake with his third chance, which he finished impeccably on the run. 

Others: Julien Ponceau (5)

Monaco 

Alexander Nübel – 6 – Made a couple of key saves in the match, notably from Moffi, and could do little with the two quickfire goals in the second-half.

Caio Henrique – 4 – Arguably played into danger by Maripán, but Henrique was responsible for losing the ball for Lorient’s second goal, which allowed Les Merlus to break and take the lead. 

Guillermo Maripán – 7 – Disaplyed a great reading of the game, which manifested in magnificent positioning and numerous key interceptions. He was dominant in the air, as he often is and was a steady, reliable figure at the back. If he maintains his level, he will mitigate Benoît Badiashile’s absence to an extent, and keep Chelsea loanee Malang Sarr out of the side.

Axel Disasi – 5

Vanderson – 4 – As has often been the case this season, it wasn’t the Brazilian’s night. He looked constantly hesitant, caught in two minds as to when to attack and when to hold. He all to often got the decision wrong, and he looked permanently caught in two minds. Cathline had his number, and had the French winger provided more end-product, the outcome of the match could have looked very different.

Youssouf Fofana – 5

Mohamed Camara – 6 

Aleksandr Golovin – 6

Eliesse Ben Seghir – 4 – The Monaco academy product burst onto the season following the World Cup break, and against Lorient, experienced his first quiet match. Whilst still displaying some flare in the attacking third, he failed to wield his influence to create notable goal-scoring chances. 

Krépin Diatta – 4

Breel Embolo – 7 – The Swiss striker played the target man role well, holding the ball up and consequently soaking up pressure during key moments, allowing Les Monégasques to retain possession and build attacks. His goal was sublime, as he showed great strength, awareness and composure to maintain possession in a packed penalty box and drive home past Mannone. He was taken off straight after that game-changing action. 

Others: Wissam Ben Yedder (6) – the French international only needed one chance to make his mark on the tie, Gelson Martins (4)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle