Monaco United Women kicked off their first-ever Mediterranean Cup campaign with a commanding 4–1 win away at FC Carros on Sunday, November 23, overcoming an early scare to show they’re quickly becoming a team to take seriously under head coach Marco Simone.
The club made it clear from the start that this competition isn’t just a warm-up exercise. Drawn against Carros, a direct rival in the league and one of the tougher sides they could have faced at this stage, Monaco United had no room for half measures. The Mediterranean Cup brings together district and regional teams, giving Monaco’s young squad a proper benchmark against more experienced opposition — and they’re proving they can more than hold their own.
A sloppy opening cost them the first goal on Carros’ very first attack, but any panic was short-lived. A stunning direct free-kick from Morgane de Seixas levelled things up, and Monaco steadily clicked into gear. Before the break, Sarah Magnier and Sara Lakhssassi both found the net to give the visitors a 3–1 lead, even if the first-half performance didn’t always match the blueprint Simone had in mind.
After the interval, Monaco United looked like a completely different side — sharper, more disciplined, and firmly in control. De Seixas struck again with a fierce shot under the bar to kill off the contest, and although more chances followed, the scoreline stayed at 4–1. It was a composed second-half performance that showed maturity and intent.
Marco Simone said: “Today, even if we didn’t deliver our best performance technically or in terms of sticking to our playing philosophy, we managed to earn a deserved victory against a very well-prepared team that really challenged us, especially in the first half. This match must serve as a lesson. As the season progresses, we will face other opponents capable of imposing their style, and it will be essential to gain maturity, clarity, and adaptability while staying true to our identity. It’s an important win, and it reminds us of the areas where we must keep progressing.”
He added: “In terms of play, the team managed—sometimes with difficulty—not to get dragged into the style Carros wanted to impose. We also saw some very interesting sequences, especially defensively, in the exact areas we worked on this week. It’s an encouraging and positive sign for the future.”
Morgane De Seixas said: “We’re satisfied with our reaction, even though we faced a very committed Carros side that fought for every ball. We conceded early, which created doubt in the first half. But little by little, we managed to regain control of the match and impose ourselves. We need to impose our style instead of adapting to the opponent’s. We fell into their rhythm, and that threw us off. We have to stay true to our fundamentals and remain patient, because we have the quality to create chances and be effective.”
With a convincing win over a top-of-the-table rival, Monaco United have sent out a warning shot. Their goals remain the same: dominate the league, make a serious run in the Mediterranean Cup, and lay the groundwork for a push to regional level. They now wait for the next round’s draw, before returning to league business next Sunday with an away trip to Cagnes-sur-Mer.
