PLAYER RATINGS | Monaco 7-1 Nantes: Mika Biereth nets another hat-trick as Monaco return to winning ways | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 22, 15/02/25

Mika Biereth netted another hat-trick as AS Monaco ran riot against a 10-man FC Nantes (7-1) to return to winning ways and – provisionally – retake their place on the podium in Ligue 1.

The Match

Nantes passed up their first chance of the match but it was an action we saw repeated throughout the first half. Abline and Moses Simon both looked to exploit Monaco’s high line and succeeded in doing so with relative ease. Abline got a run on Christian Mawissa, beating him for pace and unleashing a shot one-on-one onto the post.

It was a warning that was not heeded as Monaco went behind just one minute later. It was that crucial Abline-Simon link-up with the former latching onto a ball from the latter and drilling into the bottom corner. Nicolas Cozza was then shown a straight red for a clumsy but not malicious studs-up challenge on Vanderson to give Les Monégasques a lift.

Eliesse Ben Seghir and Maghnes Akliouche both forced Anthony Lopes into a good save but the better chances continued to fall Nantes’ way. Simon released Abline in behind but with his first-touch finish shot straight at Radoslaw Majecki. However, Monaco would go into the break in the lead thanks to a quickfire double.

The pressure grew in the final 10 minutes of the half and it told as Biereth got his first, stabbing home from close range. Less than 60 seconds later, they were ahead. Almost from kick-off, Lamine Camara lobbed a ball over the top and it was taken by Minamino who beat Lopes with a volleyed finish.

Les Monégasques came out looking to end the game and they did just that. Ben Seghir got the scoreline, with Minamino getting his second assist on the night as he beat Lopes at his near post. Biereth got his second with a nother predaotr’s finish, popping up in the right place at the right time to poke past Lopes.

And for consecutive Ligue 1 matches at the Stade Lois II, the former Arsenal man got his hat-trick, winning the penalty thanks to a clumsy foul from Nicolas Pallois before stepping up himself and sending Lopes the wrong way. He should have got a fourth but sliced his unchallenged volley over the bar from close range, but his contribution once again settled the match, just as it did against AJ Auxerre.

Monaco would get another two through substitute George Ilenikhena, who netted a diving header and should have got as second straight after but shot straight at Lopes. He did get his goal, however, sliding in and poking past the Nantes goalkeeper. It is a heavy defeat for Les Canaris and one that leaves them 15th. Monaco are back on the podium but can be displaced should OGC Nice beat Le Havre AC tomorrow.

Monaco player ratings

Radoslaw Majecki – 5

Caio Henrique – 5

Christian Mawissa – 4

Thilo Kehrer – 4

Vanderson – 5

Lamine Camara – 5

Denis Zakaria – 5

Eliesse Ben Seghir – 6

Takumi Minamino – 7

A considerable contribution from the Japan international, who got a goal and two assists. Minamino had been shy of goal contributions this season, despite some good performances. This – in many ways – was not one of his better performances, but he was rewarded with three goal contributions.

Maghnes Akliouche – 4

Mika Biereth – 8

The former Arsenal man has had a transformative affect since arriving from Sturm Graz at the start of October. This is his second hat-trick already at the Stade Louis II; quite the way to endear yourself to the fans. He was not overly involved in build-up and quiet for periods, especially in the first half, but he is a true fox in the box, as he showed by popping up twice in the right place at the right time and by finishing his penalty with composure.

Nantes selected player ratings

Moses Simon – 7

The Nigerian winger ran Monaco – and Kehrer in particular – raggid in the first half. The Principality club could not handle his pace and trickery as he set up Nantes’ goal and could hav assisted another. His intelligent positioning allowed him to play an influential role in the game before he – and his teammates – tired.

Matthis Abline – 6

Anthony Lopes – 3

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco