Young academy players led Monaco to the title in 2017. Will it happen again?

Monaco went into their match against Marseille on Saturday under duress. Yes, the team has looked sharp and motivated this season under Adi Hütter, but circumstances seemed to be conspiring against them. Despite the difficult buildup, though, they played to one of their strengths – their academy, and notably Maghnes Akliouche – and beat Marseille 3-2 and go top of the Ligue 1 table.

After a blistering start to the season,

Monaco had wobbled in their two previous matches. First, they dropped points away to struggling Lorient by conceding an equaliser in the eighth minute of stoppage time. Then came the disappointment of last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to local rivals Nice. Not only did their marquee summer signing, Folarin Balogun, have two penalties saved but they also conceded another injurytime goal.

With the top two teams in the league table – Brest and Nice – playing each other this weekend, Monaco’s match with Marseille gave them a chance to regain top spot in the table. The motivation only grew when PSG were held to a goalless draw by Clermont earlier on Saturday, their goalkeeper Mory Diaw putting in a heroic performance.

Facing a Marseille side in turmoil and playing their first match under new manager Gennaro Gattuso was a good chance to set things straight, but Monaco were without a series of key players. Already missing Eliesse Ben Seghir and Breel Embolo to long-term injuries, they were also without the suspended Aleksandr Golovin and Takumi

Minamino.

Worst of all, though, was the news that Caio Henrique is likely to miss the rest of the season after suffering a cruciate injury. The Brazilian has improved steadily during his time at the club and recently won his first senior international cap. His impressive form for Monaco this season means his absence will be felt keenly.

Lacking various creative options, Hütter started Akliouche in a free role behind the partnership of Wissam Ben Yedder and Balogun. The 21-year-old has been at the club for some time, having made his debut in 2021, but he has never been an integral part of the first team, starting matches here and there, but mostly on the right flank rather than in the centre.

Placing so much trust in the youngster was a big leap of faith, but Akliouche responded in fine fashion, scoring a brace and setting up Balogun – who was excellent and continues to look like an ideal fit for Hütter’s tactical approach – for the other goal. Monaco came from behind twice to win, show