AS Monaco’s Coupe de France campaign came to an end at the Round of 16 stage on the evening of Thursday, February 5, as the Red and Whites were beaten 3–1 by RC Strasbourg at the Stade de la Meinau. Despite controlling long spells and creating numerous chances, Monaco paid the price for missed opportunities against a clinical home side.
Coming into the tie on the back of a strong run — including qualification for the Champions League playoffs and an emphatic league win over Rennes — Monaco arrived in Alsace with confidence. Head coach Sébastien Pocognoli stuck with his preferred back-three system, recalling Mika Biereth to lead the attack and restoring Maghnes Akliouche to the starting line-up.
Monaco began on the front foot and threatened early, with Akliouche forcing a save inside the opening minutes. However, it was Strasbourg who struck first, capitalising on their first real opening with a headed finish from Martial Godo. The goal briefly disrupted Monaco’s rhythm, though the visitors continued to press and test goalkeeper Mike Penders before the break, while Philipp Köhn was also called into action at the other end to keep the deficit to a single goal.
The match opened up after halftime, but Monaco were punished once again when Julio Enciso doubled Strasbourg’s lead shortly after the restart. Monaco responded immediately through Biereth, who finished calmly to pull a goal back and reignite hope. That momentum was short-lived, however, as Enciso struck again just minutes later to restore Strasbourg’s two-goal cushion.
Refusing to fold, Monaco pushed forward in search of a way back. Akliouche came agonisingly close with a curling effort that skimmed the top corner, while substitutes Folarin Balogun and Stanis Idumbo added fresh impetus. Balogun nearly reduced the deficit with a header that rattled the crossbar late on, and another effort struck the woodwork deep into stoppage time, summing up Monaco’s frustration on the night.
Despite their attacking intent and repeated chances, the Red and Whites were unable to find the cutting edge required to turn the tie around, bowing out of the competition with lingering regret.
Monaco now shift focus back to Ligue 1 action, with attention turning to the upcoming Côte d’Azur derby away at Nice, where they will look to respond quickly and regain momentum.