AS Monaco Secures Champions League Playoff Spot Despite Loss at Inter Milan

AS Monaco faced a challenging night at San Siro, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against a formidable Inter Milan in the Champions League group stage. Reduced to ten players early in the match, Monaco struggled to contain Inter's attacking prowess, exacerbated by a penalty converted by Lautaro Martinez following a foul by Denis Zakaria on Marcus Thuram. The situation deteriorated further when Christian Mawissa was sent off for a red card offense, leaving Monaco severely disadvantaged.

Despite the setback, Monaco's goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki displayed a commendable performance, making crucial saves and demonstrating resilience against Inter's continuous onslaught. However, Martinez proved unstoppable, completing his hat trick in the 67th minute and sealing the victory for Inter. The match also saw Monaco finishing with nine men due to an injury to Jordan Teze, further complicating their ability to mount a comeback.

Although this defeat was a blow, Monaco has managed to secure a spot in the Champions League play-offs, maintaining their hopes for further progression in the tournament. The draw for the next round is set for Friday, where Monaco will learn whether their opponents in the critical two-legged tie will be PSG or Benfica, scheduled for February 11/12 and 18/19.