AS Monaco – Paris Saint-Germain: Monaco Storm Back And Snatch Win (3-2)

In many respects the two clubs matched formations and systems, but it was a pair of deft substitutions at the start of the second half that made all the difference for Monaco, as manager Niko Kovač celebrated a fantastic three-goal comeback over Ligue 1’s top side. 

Tactical analysis and match report by K.T. Stockwell. 

Throughout the early portion of the season, Monaco have quietly, if unimpressively, collected points. In the process, new manager Niko Kovač has been able to keep his side hovering near the top of the table and in contention for a European place.

Against PSG, the Croatian manager would have to do without one of his most important players, as Wissam Ben Yedder was ruled out after testing positive for coronavirus. Undeterred, Kovač stuck with the 4-4-2 shape that served him well the previous week against Nice. Without Ben Yedder, Willems Geubbels was given the start at striker next to Kevin Volland. In the heart of midfield, the two youngsters Aurélien Tchouaméni and Youssouf Fofana were given the nod, ahead of a similarly green center-back duo of Axel Disasi and Benoît Badiashile.

A three-nil win over a floundering Rennes side before the international break dampened the flames raging around Paris Saint-Germain and their manager Thomas Tuchel after the squad suffered another Champions League loss just before the international break.

A consistent stream of injuries and suspensions, as well a trove of positive coronavirus tests has complicated the start of the season for PSG. It was no different heading into the match against Monaco with all of Mauro Icardi, Marco Verratti, Thilo Kehrer, Julian Draxler and . . .