Mika Biereth stole the show at the Stade Louis-II, netting a brilliant hat-trick as AS Monaco stormed to a 4-2 victory over AJ Auxerre on Saturday, February 1. The win, Monaco’s second in a row, strengthened their grip on third place in Ligue 1, with club president Dmitry Rybolovlev watching on from the stands.

Monaco started with confidence after their thrilling win against Rennes but struggled to break down a disciplined Auxerre side. The visitors nearly took the lead through Gaëtan Perrin, only for his goal to be ruled out for offside. It was the hosts who struck first in the 35th minute when Thilo Kehrer pounced on a loose ball from a corner and rifled it into the top corner. However, the lead was short-lived, as Sinaly Diomandé responded just three minutes later with a powerful strike of his own to make it 1-1.

Things got worse for Monaco on the brink of half-time when a penalty was awarded to Auxerre. Radoslaw Majecki initially saved Jubal’s effort, but the referee ordered a retake due to encroachment, and the Brazilian made no mistake the second time around, sending Monaco into the break trailing 2-1.

Determined to turn things around, Adi Hütter made three changes at half-time, bringing on Caio Henrique, Mamadou Magassa, and Breel Embolo. The impact was immediate. Just 12 minutes into the second half, Embolo set up Biereth, who calmly slotted home the equaliser. Six minutes later, Henrique delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, and Biereth struck again, completing the turnaround. The Danish forward was not done yet—just two minutes later, he latched onto another fine pass from Embolo to seal his hat-trick and put Monaco in complete control at 4-2.

Auxerre attempted to mount a late comeback, with Ado Onaiwu grazing the crossbar in the 85th minute, but Monaco remained solid. Embolo nearly added a fifth, while Majecki produced one last save in stoppage time to keep the visitors at bay.

With this crucial win, Monaco tightened their hold on third place, keeping their Champions League ambitions well on track as the season approaches its decisive stage.