PLAYER RATINGS | Monaco 4-2 Auxerre: Mika Biereth’s 8-minute hat-trick sinks Auxerre | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 20, 01/02/25

Mika Biereth netted an eight-minute hat-trick as AS Monaco beat AJ Auxerre in a top-turvy encounter at the Stade Louis II (4-2).

The Match

Monaco are the only side to have won at the Stade de l’Abbé Deschamps this season and they were looking to do the double over Auxerre. As expected, the home side dominated possession but they struggled to break down a compact AJA side that also proved dangerous on the counter.

It was Auxerre who had the first major chance and it was converted by Gaëtan Perrin, however, he mistimed his run and despite calmly taking on Radoslaw Majecki and slotting into the empty net, it was ruled out for offside. Instead, it was Monaco who took the lead through Thilo Kehrer, who blasted home from inside a crowded box.

That lead lasted all of three minutes with Sinaly Diomandé blasting home a sumptuous outside-of-the-box effort from just outside the box. Placed perfectly into the top corner, Majecki stood no chance. From thereon, Auxerre looked the more dangerous side in the first half and they were rewarded deep in injury time.

Jubal’s shirt was pulled inside the box by Denis Zakaria. The Auxerre captain then stood up himself but missed his initial effort. Majecki had, however, crept off his line and a retake was ordered. Jubal made no mistake with his second effort and Auxerre headed into half-time with a lead to protect.

Biereth nets eight-minute hat-trick for Monaco

Les Monégasques made three changes with Aleksandr Golovin, Christian Mawissa, and Lamine Camara making way for Breel Embolo, Soungoutou Magassa, and Caio Henrique. Monaco levelled before the hour mark with Mika Biereth calmly slotting home a Zakaria through ball.

Within just eight minutes, the Norwegian forward went on to settle the game. He first volleyed home from close range and then finished off what Breel Embolo started, tapping in from close range for his third and Monaco’s fourth.

Both teams had chances to add to the scoreline. Ado Anaiwu struck the crossbar for Auxerre after being put through on goal at a tight angle and seconds later Embolo had an even bigger chance but after being put through by Minamino after some nice interchange, Léon won the one-on-one.

That miss proved inconsequential as Monaco bounced back from their midweek defeat to Inter Milan to register back-to-back wins in Ligue 1. The result sees them consolidate their third place in the table; Auxerre, meanwhile, have failed to win any of their last eight in the league.

Monaco player ratings

Radoslaw Majecki – 5

Christian Mawissa – 4

Tidy enough defensively, he did not offer enough going forward and was hooked at the break, replaced by Caio Henrique (5). The Brazilian had recently been dropped having dearly struggled for form, however, he brought the attacking impetus that Mawissa did not in the first-half. Signs of improvement there.

Mohammed Salisu – 4

Thilo Kehrer – 6

Vanderson – 5

Lamine Camara – 5

Replaced by Soungoutou Magassa (5) at the break.

Denis Zakaria – 6

Aleksandr Golovin – 5

Replaced by Breel Embolo (6) at half-time.

Takumi Minamino – 5

Maghnes Akliouche – 6

Mika Biereth – 9

A game-changing performance from the new recruit. He described himself as an “old-school” fox-in-the-box during his presentation earlier this month and he showed that against Auxerre. He was quiet in the first half but within eight spectacular minutes, he found himself in the right place at the right time to tuck home. He is the first Monaco player to score a hat-trick since Wissam Ben Yedder in 2023.

Auxerre selected player ratings

Donovan Léon – 6

Han-Noah Massengo – 5

Sinaly Diomandé – 7

Excellent in the first half, he made some crucial interceptions and kept Monaco at bay. His goal was superbly taken, however, he was less secure in the second half as Auxerre – collectively – struggled to withstand Monaco’s offensive barrage.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco