AS Monaco’s dramatic collapse ends Ligue 1 season in seventh place

AS Monaco started strongly but suffered a dramatic collapse in the final minutes, losing 5-4 to Strasbourg on the last matchday of Ligue 1. The result capped a frustrating season that ended with the club in seventh position.

In their final match after a recent loss to Lille, coach Sébastien Pocognoli adjusted his tactics to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Denis Zakaria partnered with Lamine Camara in midfield, while Ansu Fati operated as an attacking midfielder behind Folarin Balogun. Simon Adingra returned to the left wing, and the team faced Strasbourg in front of just 250 away supporters in Alsace.

The opening exchanges reflected Pocognoli’s intentions: high pressing and quick ball recoveries. Just 10 minutes in, Lamine Camara intercepted a misplaced pass from El Mourabet and slotted home. Strasbourg equalized against the run of play in the 34th minute through Martial Godo, but Camara restored Monaco’s lead with a stunning strike under the bar. Ansu Fati then made it 3-1 before halftime.

Monaco extended their advantage ten minutes after the break when a Folarin Balogun shot was deflected into his own net by Strasbourg’s Ismaël Doukouré, making it 4-1. However, the game took a dramatic turn as Strasbourg scored four goals in the final 30 minutes. Diego Moreira pulled one back, followed by a quickfire double from Sébastian Nanasi, who restored parity at 4-4. Godo then struck with a curling effort just before the final whistle, sealing a 5-4 victory for Strasbourg. Paris Brunner nearly rescued Monaco in stoppage time, hitting the crossbar as the match slipped away.

Coach Pocognoli admits mental fragility after late collapse

« We began well and controlled the game in the first half. At 4-1, some may have thought the game was over, but unfortunately, we conceded immediately after, which reignited the contest », reflected Sébastien Pocognoli during his post-match press conference. He highlighted recurring defensive frailties: « It’s not the first time this season we’ve conceded multiple goals during periods of weakness. Our mental resilience sometimes falters. » He concluded: « We were missing several key ingredients to close out a game we had in hand. Simply put, we lacked consistency. »

A season of missed opportunities

Seventh in the final standings, AS Monaco finished the 2025-2026 campaign without securing European qualification—a stark contrast to the previous two seasons in the Champions League. Pocognoli acknowledged the need for reflection: « My role is to analyze what went wrong, and naturally, questions must be asked. When I arrived, I aimed to restore identity, group cohesion, and clear principles, which I maintained throughout. It’s essential to preserve the positives and build on them for next season. » With the transfer window approaching, the upcoming summer will be pivotal in reshaping the club’s sporting project.