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MATCH REPORT | Leeds 2-4 AS Monaco: Philippe Clement’s side score three goals in nine minutes in comfortable victory at Elland Road

Friendly, Elland Road, 21/12/22

Deprived of their usual crammed Christmas schedule, Leeds United fans came in numbers (20,978 in attendance) and were in good voice at Elland Road for the visit of Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. With the return of their respective domestic divisions just around the corner, both sides fielded strong sides. 

Bar Eliesse Ben Seghir, who patterned Breel Embolo in attack, all of Monaco’s starting eleven could theoretically start against Auxerre next Wednesday. Leeds landed the first blow. From a corner, Robin Koch headed past Alexandre Nübel, who continues to be linked with a recall to parent club Bayern Munich. 

However, Monaco, who had looked bright before going behind, continued to push after the opener, and they got their reward through Embolo, who finished off a sweeping team goal. However, the Principality side were lucky to go in level, as Leeds pummelled the away side, with Guillermo Maripán coming to the rescue on the line on one occasion to deny Rasmus Kristensen. 

Having rode their luck, Monaco showed a completely different face in the second-half. Gelson Martins put the Principality side ahead from close range after latching onto an inch-perfect cross from Ismaïl Jakobs, who impressed during the World Cup for Senegal. Jakobs then got on the scoresheet himself just moments later, as he found space in the box from a corner to rifle past Kristoffer Klaesson. 

It didn’t stop there. Monaco would get a third in just nine minutes when Embolo got on the end of another free-flowing move, Leeds defence caught once again all at sea. With a three goal advantage, all intensity seeped out of the game, the sheer quantity of substitutions made also hindering the natural rhythm of the friendly. 

17-year-old Ben Seghir, who had punctuated the match with moments of brilliance and trickery came off, and the experience of Wissam Ben Yedder, Takumi Minamino and Kevin Volland came on to get some final competitive minutes before the Ligue 1 restart. Leeds got a late consolation with Joseph Gelhardt converting from the spot. Overall, a brilliant night for Philippe Clement’s side, who built confidence, accrued fitness and gave vital experience to the youngsters in a surprisingly comfortable victory at Elland Road.

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