AS Monaco Suffers First Season Loss to Nice in Côte d'Azur Derby Despite Strong Start

In a fervent display of regional rivalry, AS Monaco succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Nice in the 107th Côte d’Azur derby, despite a promising start and early dominance. The match, witnessed by club president Dmitry Rybolovlev, saw Monaco initially taking the lead with a goal from Breel Embolo in the 39th minute. This followed the team’s robust performance earlier in the week, where they secured a resounding 5-1 victory over Red Star Belgrade.

The dynamics of the game shifted dramatically just before the halftime whistle. Nice leveled the score through Evan Guessand's goal during stoppage time, and shortly after, Monaco's challenges compounded when Vanderson was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. This incident left Monaco disadvantaged with ten men for the remainder of the game.

Despite a tenacious effort to equalize, AS Monaco could not capitalize on their opportunities in the second half. Nice took advantage of the extra player, and Gaëtan Laborde's goal in the 71st minute sealed the victory for the visitors. Looking to rebound from this setback, Monaco is set to host Angers on November 1 at the Stade Louis-II, aiming to regain their form in the Ligue 1’s 10th matchday.