Despite a strong start and dominating much of the first half, AS Monaco fell 2-1 to Nice in the 107th Côte d’Azur derby on Sunday, October 27. The Red and Whites, down a player after Vanderson’s controversial red card just before halftime, fought hard but couldn’t avoid defeat in a match attended by club president Dmitry Rybolovlev.
The Monegasques looked poised to maintain their winning form, having come off a decisive 5-1 victory over Red Star Belgrade earlier in the week. Starting with an aggressive lineup, Adi Hütter’s men controlled possession, creating multiple chances early on, including Breel Embolo’s disallowed goal due to a slight offside call against Takumi Minamino. Embolo later found the net in the 39th minute, putting Monaco ahead 1-0.
However, the game took a turn just before halftime. Nice equalized in added time through Evan Guessand’s set-piece goal, and moments later, Vanderson received a second yellow card, leaving Monaco to play the entire second half with ten men.
With the numerical advantage, Nice pressed forward, and despite several saves from Monaco’s Radoslaw Majecki, a misjudged back pass from Krépin Diatta allowed substitute Gaëtan Laborde to score the match-winning goal in the 71st minute. Monaco pressed for an equalizer, but Nice’s defense held firm, handing the visitors their first defeat of the season.
Monaco will look to recover swiftly when they host Angers on Friday, November 1 at the Stade Louis-II for Ligue 1’s 10th matchday.