AS Monaco – RC Strasbourg: No One Wanted to Lose in the European Race (0–0)

Two of the most attractive footballing sides in Ligue 1 met in a match that, in the end, fell short of expectations given what was at stake. The visitors—this season’s surprise package—struggled with a rigid and overly structured positional game that lacked fluidity.

Tactical analysis and match report by Juan Lauz.

A crucial clash in the race for European qualification. Addi Hütter’s AS Monaco were looking to snatch second place from Marseille whilst also trying to extend their lead over their current opponent: the surprise package of the season, RC Strasbourg.

The young side led by the equally young 40-year-old manager Liam Rosenior—who had finished last season closer to the relegation zone than to the European spots—arrived with their exciting group of wonderkids and a bold, attacking style. Their goal: to conquer the Monegasque fortress, leapfrog Olympique Lyonnais (who currently occupy the Champions League playoff spot), and draw level on points with Monaco.

The home team fielded almost the exact same lineup that had defeated Marseille 3–0 the previous matchday, with just one change: Christian Mawissa replacing Timo Kehrer at center-back. The rest was the usual setup in a 4-2-2-2 formation: captain Denis Zakaria and Lamine Camara operated as the double pivot; the attacking midfield duo featured the team’s tempo-setters—Takumi Minamino, the more aggressive presence on the left, and Maghnes Akliouche, more composed and deeper on the right. Up front, the ever-evolving Breel Embolo, now more of a player . . .