Monaco’s Draw Against Le Havre Deals Title Blow, Kenyan Midfielder Watches from Bench
Monaco’s recent result has left them in third place with 24 points, trailing leaders PSG by three points after PSG’s dominant victory over Joseph Okumu’s Reims earlier in the day.
Kenyan midfielder Eliot Matazo had little to do but observe from the bench as Monaco faced a spirited Le Havre side at Stade Océane on Saturday night.
Le Havre, just four places behind Monaco in the standings and nine points adrift, made an impressive start to the season. They came close to taking the lead within the first 10 minutes when Antoine Joujou dispossessed Guillermo Maripan and set up Loïc Négo, whose shot from a tight angle was saved by Philipp Kohn.
As the first half progressed, Monaco began to settle in, and Ismail Jakobs produced the first save from Le Havre’s goalkeeper, Arthur Desmas, just before the half-hour mark. Desmas parried the shot, and Youssouf Fofana missed the rebound opportunity in the 28th minute.
In the 31st minute, Krépin Diatta delivered a cross to Denis Zakaria following a clever dummy from Aleksandr Golovin, but Desmas tipped his header over the bar.
The first half ended with no further major chances, resulting in a goalless score.
Le Havre resumed the second half brightly, with Joujou again testing Kohn’s goalkeeping skills in the 50th minute.
Nabil Alioui attempted a lob over the Monaco goalkeeper, but Kohn managed to scramble back and clear the ball moments later.
Substitutes Edan Diop and Folarin Balogun had late chances that they failed to convert. In the dying moments of the match, it was Monaco’s goalkeeper, Kohn, who had the final say, saving a penalty from Samuel Grandsir after Diop fouled Emmanuel Sabbi in the box during the 10th minute of stoppage time.
Matazo has made six appearances in Ligue 1 this season, providing one assist. Monaco’s current standing, now in third place with 24 points, leaves them three points behind league leaders PSG, who secured a convincing victory over Joseph Okumu’s Reims earlier in the day.
