AS Monaco tightened their grip on a potential Champions League playoff spot with a hard-earned 1–0 win over Galatasaray at the Stade Louis-II on the evening of Tuesday, December 9, surviving a tense finale to claim three vital points. The result, achieved in front of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II and club president Dmitry Rybolovlev, keeps the Principality side firmly in the race as the group stage enters its final stretch.
Facing a Galatasaray team that arrived in Monaco with nine points already on the board, the hosts approached the clash with intent. Coach Sébastien Pocognoli stuck to the 4-2-3-1 setup used in Pafos two weeks earlier, with Thilo Kehrer returning to the centre of defence. Former Monaco player Ismail Jakobs featured for the visitors, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the fixture.
Both sides came out firing in an animated opening spell. Early efforts from Balogun and Osimhen were pulled back for offside, before Ilkay Gündogan spurned Galatasaray’s first major opportunity, dragging a finish well wide after neat work from Jakobs. The Turkish side pressed relentlessly, with Yilmaz testing Monaco’s composure, but the hosts gradually steadied themselves. Maghnes Akliouche forced a sharp reaction save from Çakir, while Denis Zakaria twice came close — first with a header narrowly off target, then with a curling effort superbly turned aside.
At the other end, Monaco keeper Lukáš Hradecký was called into action repeatedly, denying Sané, Osimhen and Sara in quick succession to keep the scores level at the break. The second half continued at the same breathless pace. Takumi Minamino’s volley drew an early save, and a subsequent VAR check handed Monaco a penalty — only for Zakaria’s attempt to be kept out by the ever-resilient Turkish defence.
Monaco refused to dwell on the miss. Balogun threatened twice in quick succession, first missing by inches from Minamino’s clever ball, then blasting over in a one-on-one. His persistence finally paid off just before the hour mark. Camara’s corner was nodded back across goal by Kehrer, and Balogun pounced from close range — his third goal in as many Champions League outings — sending the home crowd into full voice.
With the lead secured, Monaco focused on game management. Galatasaray pushed forward, but their earlier momentum waned. Sallai and Sara tried to haul their side level, but it was Monaco who nearly added a second through Lamine Camara after a precision pass from Caio Henrique. The Turkish club, now visibly drained, created little as the minutes ticked away.
Seven minutes of added time failed to shift the balance, and Monaco held firm to seal an important victory. The result not only lifts spirits but strengthens their push for back-to-back Champions League playoff appearances — a target that now feels firmly within reach.
