AS Monaco relied on composure and experience to book their place in the Round of 16 of the Coupe de France, overcoming US Orléans 3–1 away from home on Saturday, January 10, despite playing an entire half with ten men.
Facing an Orléans side in strong form and buoyed by a raucous home crowd, Monaco were tested early. The hosts pressed with intent and created several clear chances, only to be denied repeatedly by goalkeeper Philipp Köhn, whose sequence of saves proved decisive in keeping the score level during a difficult opening spell.
That resilience was rewarded midway through the first half when Folarin Balogun broke the deadlock, finishing calmly inside the box after being picked out by Denis Zakaria. The goal shifted the balance, but Monaco’s task became significantly harder just before the interval when Stanis Idumbo was sent off, leaving the visitors to defend their advantage with a numerical disadvantage for the entire second half.
Orléans emerged from the break with renewed belief, pushing forward and threatening primarily from set pieces. The pressure mounted as shots were blocked, saved, or narrowly missed, with Köhn again central to Monaco’s resistance. Despite being pinned back for long stretches, Monaco remained organised and disciplined, absorbing pressure while waiting for opportunities to counter.
Those moments arrived late on. Introduced from the bench, George Ilenikhena capitalised twice on fast breaks, showing remarkable composure to convert both chances and effectively seal the contest in the closing minutes. Orléans continued to press and were rewarded with a stoppage-time goal through Fahd El Khoumisti, but it proved little more than consolation.
The final whistle confirmed Monaco’s progression after a performance built on efficiency, defensive resolve and clinical finishing. Reduced to ten men yet unwavering in structure, the Red and Whites demonstrated the maturity required in cup football, turning a potentially dangerous fixture into a controlled qualification. Monaco now return their focus to league action, with momentum firmly on their side.
