AS Monaco Secures Victory Over Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1 Clash
Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 2, 30/08/26
Paris Brunner scored twice as AS Monaco triumphed over their rivals Olympique de Marseille at the Stade Louis II. This match could potentially be Lamine Camara’s last for the club.
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The Match
Monaco took an early lead with a straightforward header from Paris Brunner, who found himself unmarked during the second phase of a set-piece. CJ Egan-Riley struggled to cope as the German forward netted his third goal of the season, marking his first in Ligue 1. Brunner nearly added to his tally shortly after, attempting a volley that initially missed but then struck well, only to be saved by Jeffrey De Lange.
Chances for Denis Zakaria and Stanis Idumbo followed, but Marseille could not create a meaningful opportunity. Following halftime, two substitutions occurred, with Keyliane Abdallah replacing Himad Abdelli and Tochukwu Nnadi coming on for Quinten Timber, linked with a move to Crystal Palace. Abdallah, a scorer last week, had a near-miss when he appeared in the box but failed to connect. Lukas Hradecky was there to gather the ball, while Marseille showed more determination, with Angel Gomes managing to create space at the edge of the box, though his effort went over the bar.
Timothy Weah then struck the outside of the post, but Monaco soon created more distance between them and Marseille. Brunner skillfully turned Geoffrey Kondogbia at the halfway line before darting into the box. There he maneuvered past Kondogbia and Egan-Riley before calmly slotting the ball past De Lange. With three games and four goals to his name, Brunner is in impressive form.
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Things worsened for Marseille when Kondogbia went down injured, leaving the pitch to boos from his own supporters. Both Nnadi and Gomes later encountered injury scares but continued briefly before also being replaced. The situation is concerning for an already depleted Marseille squad.
Desperate for goals, OM struggled to create enough chances to score. Amine Gouiri, who had a quiet night, managed to bring down a ball but, while falling backwards, could only hit a shot at Vanderson. Neal Maupay fired a shot over, and Faris Moumbagna had an opportunity blocked by Vanderson at the back post. Throughout the match, Monaco appeared comfortable, remaining the only team with two wins in their first two Ligue 1 games, raising concerns for Marseille.
Monaco Player Ratings
Lukas Hradecky – 5
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Nazinho – 6
Eric Dier – 7
The defender, who seemed likely to leave the club earlier this summer, made a remarkable comeback to form, contributing significantly to Monaco’s performance.
Sadibou Sané – 7
Vanderson – 5
Lamine Camara – 9
While Brunner’s goal was impressive, it was Camara who excelled, dominating the pitch with his all-around performance. If this indeed marks his last game for Monaco, he showcased why he would be missed
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Denis Zakaria – 6
Stanis Idumbo – 5
Aleksandr Golovin – 5
Mamadou Coulibaly – 4
Paris Brunner – 8
Folarin Balogun’s potential successor made a mark by lighting up the game, signaling his rising status as a player to watch this season.
Marseille Player Ratings
Jeffrey De Lange – 4
Emerson – 5
CJ Egan-Riley – 3
Geoffrey Kondogbia – 2
Kondogbia struggled immensely in his one-on-one battles, particularly against Brunner, who capitalized on his weaknesses.
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Timothy Weah – 6
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 4
Angel Gomes – 5
Quinten Timber – 4
Timber was substituted for Tochukwu Nnadi, who suffered an injury and rated N/A.
Himad Abdelli – 3
He was replaced by Keyliane Abdallah, who received a rating of 4.
Amine Gouiri – 4
Gouiri faced high expectations but struggled throughout the match, unable to make a significant impact.
Amine Harit – 3
Given a chance amid financial struggles, Harit failed to leave a notable impression in this game.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco
Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 2, 30/08/26
Paris Brunner netted a stunning brace as AS Monaco beat rivals Olympique de Marseille at the Stade Louis II, in what could feasibly be Lamine Camara’s final game for the Principality club.
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The Match
Without needing to force the issue, Monaco took the lead thanks to a simple header from Paris Brunner, unmarked, from the second phase of a set-piece. CJ Egan-Riley was at sixes and sevens as the German netted his third goal of the season but his first in Ligue 1. The former Borussia Dortmund man almost doubled his tally on the night with a volley soon after. After initially failing to connect with Stanis Idumbo’s cross, he was given a second bite of the cherry and hit it sweetly but straight at Jeffrey De Lange.
Half chances for Denis Zakaria and Stanis Idumbo followed; OM couldn’t muster a chance of their own. But there were two changes at the break, Keyliane Abdallah for Himad Abdelli and Tochukwu Nnadi for Crystal Palace-linked Quinten Timber. Abdallah, who netted last week, almost got another, popping up in the box but failing to make good contact. Lukas Hradecky was there to sweep up, but there was more intent from Marseille and that was confirmed when, seconds later, Angel Gomes worked space on the edge of the box, but fired over.
Timothy Weah then struck the outside of the post, but moments later, Bruno Genesio’s side were distanced. It was Brunner who humbled Geoffrey Kondogbia, turning him on the halfway line before then bursting into the box, cutting inside the OM defender, and then Egan-Riley and then calmly slotting beyond Jeffrey De Lange. Three games, four goals for the German.
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It couldn’t get worse, could it? It could. Seconds later, Kondogbia went down injured and was booed by his own fans on his way down the tunnel. Nnadi and Gomes then had scares. Both were ultimately forced off, despite initially continuing. Not what this threadbare OM team needs.
Needing goals, OM couldn’t create the chances needed to score them, or at least not enough. Amine Gouiri, largely absent on the night, brought down a ball, but, falling backwards, could only hit his shot at Vanderson, who had initially lost his man. Neal Maupay blasted a shot over and Faris Moumbagna had a shot blocked by Vanderson at the back post, but ASM never looked like ceding their advantage. Monaco are the only side to have won their first two Ligue 1 games; signs of worry now for OM.
Monaco player ratings
Lukas Hradecky – 5
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Nazinho – 6
Eric Dier – 7
A man who looked highly likely to leave earlier in the summer has enjoyed a remarkable return to prominence and to form. He netted the winner last week and was dominant here. His serenity on the ball and ability to play a range of passes were valuable for the Principality club.
Sadibou Sané – 7
Vanderson – 5
Lamine Camara – 9
Whilst Brunner may have netted one of the goals of the Ligue 1 season, it was Camara who stole the show with his all-action performance. He was absolutely everywhere: winning duels, gaining metres, and covering spaces. If this is to be his last dance in a Monaco shirt, he will be sorely missed on this showing, perhaps his greatest for the Principality club.
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Denis Zakaria – 6
Stanis Idumbo – 5
Aleksandr Golovin – 5
Mamadou Coulibaly – 4
Paris Brunner – 8
Folarin Balogun watched on as his prospective replacement lit up the Stade Louis II. Balogun was excellent with his back to goal last season and was clinical in front of it; Brunner replicated that on a night when he really announced himself as one of Ligue 1’s prospects to watch this season.
Marseille player ratings
Jeffrey De Lange – 4
Emerson – 5
CJ Egan-Riley – 3
Geoffrey Kondogbia – 2
The veteran defender was humbled by Brunner, who absolutely dominated his one-on-one battle, which reached its crescendo just after half-time when Brunner turned him and sat him down on Monaco’s second goal. Judging by OM fans’ reaction, they want him gone.
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Timothy Weah – 6
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 4
Angel Gomes – 5
Quinten Timber – 4
Replaced by Tochukwu Nnadi (N/A). The midfielder, injured, did not complete the match.
Himad Abdelli – 3
Replaced by Keylian Abdallah (4).
Amine Gouiri – 4
There is too great an expectation for Gouiri to compensate for what OM have lost in attack over the summer. He struggled tonight. He simply wasn’t in the game, even as he dropped deeper and deeper to try and play a more prominent role. He had one half chance, but didn’t take it. He came up against two centre-backs in Sadibou Sané and Dier, who had strong matches.
Amine Harit – 3
Given a second chance due to OM’s dire financial situation, he didn’t show himself to be worthy of one. The playmaker never got into this game.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco
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