We will not make anyone believe that the Monegasque infirmary explains everything. Paul Pogba who has still not worn the jersey, Hradecky, Diatta, Camara, Vanderson and Mawissa absent subscribers, so be it. But to only invoke these absences would amount to obscuring the essential: Monaco was scuttled on Saturday evening at the Louis-II. The stupid expulsion of Folarin Balogun just before the break symbolized the ongoing shipwreck. Faced with a clinical Lens, Sébastien Pocognoli’s men sank (1-4). Fifth before kick-off, the Rouge et Blanc saw the Artésiens fly towards the top (provisional co-leaders with OM). The slap is all the more stinging as it comes at home, under the whistles of a public who did not hide their disappointment.
Edouard punishes, Balogun self-destructs
The first twenty minutes had suggested another scenario. Aleksandr Golovin missed a first opportunity, Balogun came up against Risser. But Odsonne Edouard found the fault in the 21st minute by grabbing a rebound. Monaco obtained a penalty after consulting the VAR for a foul by Sangaré. Balogun equalized, suggesting a possible start. Three minutes later, Wesley Saïd restored the advantage with a dry strike. Then came the fatal turning point: Balogun, already warned, committed a gross error which earned him a second yellow card. In the process, Sangaré increased the score just before half-time. Everything was said.
Reduced to ten, the Monegasques no longer existed. Wesley Saïd added to the score on the hour mark from a corner for his personal double. The opportunities kept coming for the never-arrogant Lensois. Salisu had to intervene on his line to avoid a fifth goal. The penalty missed by Fati at the end of the match summed up the catastrophic evening. Monaco never seemed capable of reacting.
Pierre Sage enjoys it, Pocognoli can’t do it
The contrast between the two benches could not be more striking. Pierre Sage can savor the work accomplished: eighth victory in twelve matches, best defense in the championship with PSG, provisional second place. On the other hand, Pocognoli inherits a suffering workforce. The chronic indiscipline materialized by the exclusion of Balogun demonstrates a worrying lack of composure. The defensive disorganization in the face of Lensoise’s rapid transitions raises questions.
Two points over the last three days illustrate a worrying negative dynamic. The specter of a white season is approaching for Monaco. Lens has just given a lesson in realism to the Monegasques who will have to quickly pull themselves together. The reception in Strasbourg will constitute a first test of reaction. Because beyond the absentees, it is an attitude problem that the Rock suffers from. And no amount of recruitment will be able to solve that.
