In what was usually a cagey affair on the Stade Louis II on Tuesday evening, Monaco and PSV performed out a 1-1 draw as they opened their Champions League qualifying journey.
Whereas the Dutch giants may need taken a shock first-half lead on international soil as Joey Veerman produced a sensible end six minutes earlier than the break, the Monegasques managed to keep away from what would have been an upset in France.
With central defender Axel Disasi powering residence from shut vary within the remaining 10 minutes, a showdown in opposition to both Rangers or Saint Union remains to be hanging within the stability.
In a battle between two European powerhouses on Tuesday evening, we’ve taken a take a look at the primary speaking factors.
Summer time struggles for Monaco
After impressing many throughout France final season as they clinched a bronze medal end in Ligue 1, Monaco would have been determined to maintain up that momentum forward of the 2022/23 marketing campaign.
Nevertheless, whereas Tuesday’s hosts may need discovered their toes below Head Coach Philippe Clement, the Monegasques have endured considerably of a stutter this summer season.
Signing off their pre-season preparations with back-to-back 2-1 and 3-1 defeats in opposition to Porto and Southampton, Monaco actually failed to search out a lot stability on the Stade Louis II right here.
Solely managing to muster a pair of pictures on the right track, the previous Membership Brugge boss noticed Takumi Minamino battle on his full aggressive debut after making the transfer from Liverpool this summer season.
Likewise, though Disasi may need managed to grab Monaco a much-needed first-leg equaliser, Clement would have additionally been disenchanted by Wissam Ben Yedder’s toothless show.
Providing little within the remaining third after racking up 25 Ligue 1 strikes final season, followers across the Stade Louis II might be hoping for a extra scientific show once they journey to Holland subsequent week.
Positives for Ruud
Laying down what was a stellar pre-season marker over the weekend as they lifted the Dutch Tremendous Cup due to a 5-3 victory in opposition to Ajax, PSV made the journey to France on Tuesday driving fairly the wave.
Though the Dutch outfit may need been left heartbroken after falling simply two factors adrift of Ajax and lifting final season’s Eredivisie trophy, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s males can have their sights set on mounting one other cost this time round.
Opening the scoring on Tuesday evening simply six minutes earlier than the half-time interval due to Veerman’s great strike from the sting of the field, the ex-Manchester United striker was full of reward for his aspect’s show.
Having fun with what has been an attention grabbing finish to their summer season preparations, PSV needs to be smelling the possibility to complete off the job once they return to the Philips Stadion subsequent week.
Shedding simply certainly one of their final six Champions League appearances on residence soil, a run highlighted by a 5-1 victory in opposition to Galatasaray final yr, van Nistelrooy’s aspect have loads of positives to remove.
Rangers or Union await
Though each Monaco and PSV would have been centered on their very own qualifying showdown on Tuesday evening, there isn’t any doubt that they might have one eye on proceddings over in Belgium.
With it introduced final month that the winners right here would safe a remaining battle in opposition to both Saint Union or Scottish giants Rangers, many had been left shocked by the Blues’ slip-up on international soil.
Storming their solution to final season’s Europa League remaining earlier than struggling a penalties defeat in opposition to Eintracht Frankfurt, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s aspect put in a vastly worrying show.
Tipped to doubtlessly seize themselves a first-leg benefit as they made the journey to the Joseph Marien Stadium on Tuesday evening, Rangers had been as an alternative hit with a 2-0 loss.
Understanding that they want fairly the turnaround at Ibrox subsequent week, each Monaco and PSV might be hoping that Union can maintain on and make their journey to the group levels a tad extra easy.
Match Report:
Monaco: Nubel, Vanderson, Disasi, Maripan, Jakobs, Takumi, Fofana, Matazo, Golovin, Ben Yedder, Volland
Subs: Embolo, Diatta, Martins, Diop
PSV: Benitez, Mwene, Teze, Obispo, Max, Til, Sangare, Veerman, Saibari, de Jong, Gakpo
Subs: Simons, Silva, Ginkel, Gutiérrez, Oppegård
Objectives: Monaco: Disasi 80′ – PSV: Veerman 38′
Yellow Playing cards: Monaco: Jakobs, Matazo – PSV: Veerman, Gutiérrez
Pink Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Davide Massa
