Arnaud Demmerle, Media365 : published on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 11:09 pm
Monaco squandered a two-goal lead at the Stadium to eventually concede a draw to Toulouse (2-2), which almost condemns them in the race for a podium finish and the Champions League.
Unless a miracle happens, AS Monaco will not be returning to the Champions League next season and will have to work hard to qualify for a European competition, without the possible help of Racing Club de Lens if they succeed in the Coupe de France. After their impressive series of seven consecutive wins that completely revived their season, the Principality club has now gone three matches without a victory. Following their defeat to Paris FC (4-1) and a draw against Auxerre at home last week (2-2), they once again stumbled against Toulouse in a similar scenario but in the opposite direction compared to their match against Auxerre.
Lamine Camara’s stunner
This time, Monaco started the match strongly against a Toulouse side that had not yet recovered from their midweek defeat in the Coupe de France against Pierre Sage’s Sang et Or. Sebastien Pocognoli’s team found the net twice past Guillaume Restes. First, through a powerful header by Jordan Teze from a cross by Simon Adingra (0-1, 6th minute). Then with a magnificent curled shot from Lamine Camara at the edge of the box (0-2, 18th minute). The Asémistes were irresistible and Ansu Fati came close to scoring the third goal with a shot that hit the post (27th minute).
Martinez Novell’s winning tactics
Toulouse struggled to create danger, even though Jacen Russell-Rowe came close to reducing the deficit just before halftime (41st minute) from a perfect cross by Dayann Methalie. The Canadian forward, however, made no mistake from another assist by his left-back to completely change the game (1-2, 61st minute). Monaco then played with fire. Sebastien Pocognoli’s substitutions and tactical changes did not make a difference. Lukas Hradecky miraculously saved his team from Charlie Cresswell’s shot (74th minute).
Towards the end, Denis Zakaria forced Guillaume Restes into a spectacular save with an acrobatic volley (89th minute). And as expected, the disappointing Monaco conceded. From a cross from Aron Dennum on the right, Charlie Cresswell headed the ball back for Emersonn, who equalized with a precise header (2-2, 90th minute). TFC secured a hard-fought draw. Monaco, on the other hand, only has regrets. Their comeback in February-March did little to help their Champions League aspirations, and the offseason promises to be busy with numerous departures (Akliouche, Balogun, Dier, and Camara) signaling the end of a cycle.
