After its generally uninspiring performance in the first leg (0-1), AS Monaco had to present a conquering face to hope to overthrow Shakthar Donetsk on his lawn. Quickly, Niko Kovac’s players took possession of the game and it was Wissam Ben Yedder, weaned from goal since the start of the season, who came to materialize the good first quarter of an hour in Monaco. Following a duel won by Badiashile in the Ukrainian camp, symbol of the excellent pressing exerted by his team, Fofana combined with Volland who, with a pure strike, found Pyatov’s gloves. But the experienced last bulwark, now a substitute for the talented but above all injured Troubine returned the leather to the axis where the French international arose to conclude (18th).
The resurrection of Ben Yedder
One minute after the post found by Badiashile following an off-center free kick from Golovin, the captain of the Red and White offered himself a brace by being at the reception of a superb cross from Caio Henrique (39th). He was even very close to the hat-trick just before the break, but his dive, following a failed recovery from Vitao, abnormally fled from the frame (45th + 1).
Then the Ukrainian punishment
In the second half, “WBY” again had the opportunity to perform the hat-trick but this time, it was Pyatov who won his face-to-face (65th). Still better returned after the locker room, the formation of Roberto De Zerbi then believed in his chances and on his first shot on target, Marlos punished the players of the Rock with a perfect cross strike (1-2, 74th).
Last season, ASM would have qualified again with this score, but there you have it. The away goals rule was abolished and the counters were therefore reset to zero after this Ukrainian reduction of the gap. Not dejected, Monaco left with a vengeance and Kevin Volland should have donned the hero costume and sent his partners to the group stage of the Champions League. A little too easy and countered by a miraculous rescue from Marlon a few centimeters from the goal (89th), the German had the qualifying ball at the end of the left foot but his powerful cross shot only made the irreducible last bulwark of the Chakthior (90th + 2).
A nightmarish end for ASM and Ruben Aguilar
Still dominant during extra time, the Asemists, enterprising but less lucid in the construction of actions, were again severely punished when Ruben Aguilar, entered a few minutes earlier (98th), scored in his own goals after having countered a center which lobbed Nübel (114th). The remaining nine minutes, including additional time, were not enough to pick up. A dark evening while the ASM delivered its best copy since the start of the season. Monaco join OL and OM in the group stage of the Europa League.
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