AS Monaco left it late once again but snatched all three points in Burgundy on Saturday, September 13, with a dramatic 2-1 victory over AJ Auxerre, sealed by George Ilenikhena’s stoppage-time strike. The result, coming just days before their Champions League return in Bruges, offers both relief and momentum for Adi Hütter’s men.
With 26 players away on international duty, the Monaco coach rotated his side but kept faith in his trusted 4-4-2. Vanderson returned to the right, Kassoum Ouattara filled the opposite flank, and Aladji Bamba earned his first Ligue 1 start. Despite the reshuffle, 800 travelling supporters braved the downpour at the Abbé-Deschamps to lend their voice.
Auxerre threatened first when Namaso clipped the post inside six minutes, while Monaco responded through a slick exchange between Minamino, Biereth and Balogun that whistled into the side netting. Goalkeeper Philipp Köhn then kept his side alive, producing a superb save from Mara before Auxerre saw another chance drift wide. Monaco dominated possession but looked short of a breakthrough—until Takumi Minamino pounced in added time at the end of the first half, steering home his second goal of the season to put the visitors 1-0 ahead.
The Principality side sought to extend their lead after the interval, but Balogun misfired and Biereth’s header lacked power. Their wastefulness proved costly when Salisu deflected a Namaso cross-shot into his own net midway through the half. Monaco pressed again, Kehrer rattling the bar late on, before Ilenikhena rose highest to head home Vanderson’s perfect delivery in the 89th minute. Köhn produced one final decisive stop in injury time to preserve the points.
Monaco now celebrate their first away league win of the season and their third Ligue 1 success overall. The late drama once more highlighted the team’s resilience—a quality they will need in abundance when they step back onto the European stage in Belgium next Thursday.
