Monaco 1-0 Galatasaray: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Bwin’s post-match review of Monaco 1-0 Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday, 09 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Monaco secured a 1-0 victory over Galatasaray. The first half ended goalless, with both sides creating chances but failing to convert, as Monaco’s recent form of draws and wins suggested they could grind out results at home. Early in the second half, a VAR check on Takumi Minamino at 49 minutes led to a missed penalty for Monaco, with Denis Zakaria’s effort saved by Uğurcan Çakır at 50 minutes, keeping the game level. Galatasaray, coming off a mixed run including wins against strong sides like Ajax and Liverpool but recent losses, pushed for control but couldn’t break through.

The breakthrough came at 68 minutes when Folarin Balogun scored for Monaco, shifting the momentum decisively. Substitutions followed, with Galatasaray bringing on Yunus Akgün at 63 minutes and Günay Güvenç at 68 minutes, while Monaco made changes like J. Teze replacing Takumi Minamino at 75 minutes to shore up their lead. Late yellow cards, including one for Monaco’s Mika Biereth at 90+6 minutes, added tension, but Monaco held firm, building on their unbeaten streak in recent matches to claim the points.

Galatasaray held 58% possession compared to Monaco’s 42%, indicating they controlled much of the ball, yet Monaco made more of their opportunities with seven corners to Galatasaray’s three, suggesting greater threat from set pieces. Successful dribbles were close at 55 for Monaco and 57 for Galatasaray, showing both teams’ ability to beat defenders, but Monaco’s single penalty taken highlighted a key chance they nearly converted. Cards were limited, with Monaco receiving one yellow and Galatasaray two, reflecting a competitive but not overly heated encounter.

Substitutions saw both sides use three each, with Monaco introducing J. Teze for Takumi Minamino at 75 minutes, Kassoum Ouattara for Aleksandr Golovin at 82 minutes, and Mika Biereth for Folarin Balogun at 86 minutes to manage the game. Galatasaray made earlier moves, such as Yunus Akgün replacing İlkay Gündoğan at 63 minutes, Günay Güvenç for Uğurcan Çakır at 68 minutes, and Mauro Icardi for Ismail Jakobs at 79 minutes, aiming to chase the equaliser without success.

The match’s decisive moment arrived at 68 minutes when Folarin Balogun scored Monaco’s only goal, capitalising on a well-timed opportunity to break the deadlock. Earlier, a VAR review involving Takumi Minamino at 49 minutes resulted in a penalty for Monaco, but Denis Zakaria missed it at 50 minutes after a save by Uğurcan Çakır, maintaining the stalemate. Yellow cards added to the drama, with Davinson Sánchez booked at 50 minutes for Galatasaray, Barış Alper Yılmaz at 88 minutes, and Mika Biereth for Monaco at 90+6 minutes.

Substitutions influenced the flow, as Galatasaray replaced İlkay Gündoğan with Yunus Akgün at 63 minutes and Uğurcan Çakır with Günay Güvenç at 68 minutes to inject energy, while Monaco brought on J. Teze for Takumi Minamino at 75 minutes and Kassoum Ouattara for Aleksandr Golovin at 82 minutes to secure their advantage. Mauro Icardi came on for Ismail Jakobs at 79 minutes for Galatasaray in a late push, and Mika Biereth replaced Folarin Balogun at 86 minutes for Monaco, helping them see out the win.

Monaco lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, allowing them to maintain a solid defensive structure while supporting attacks through players like Aleksandr Golovin and Takumi Minamino in advanced roles. Folarin Balogun led the line effectively as the focal point, scoring the winner, with Denis Zakaria involved in midfield duties including the missed penalty. Partnerships in the backline held firm, and substitutions like Kassoum Ouattara and Mika Biereth added fresh legs late on.

Galatasaray deployed a 4-2-3-1 shape, focusing on midfield control with players such as İlkay Gündoğan before his substitution, and attacking threats like Barış Alper Yılmaz. Davinson Sánchez anchored the defence but picked up a yellow card, while Ismail Jakobs contributed on the flank until Mauro Icardi replaced him. Yunus Akgün and Günay Güvenç came on to try and shift the momentum in the second half.

Folarin Balogun earned Bwin’s Man of the Match award for his decisive contribution, scoring the game’s only goal to secure the win for Monaco. With one goal, zero assists, zero big chances created and zero key passes, his clinical finish at 68 minutes stood out as the difference-maker in a tight contest. Balogun’s impact was clear before he was replaced by Mika Biereth at 86 minutes, underlining his role in Monaco’s attacking setup.

Recent Champions League matches:

• Win: 1-0 vs Galatasaray (H)
• Draw: 2-2 vs Pafos FC (A)
• Win: 1-0 vs Bodø / Glimt (A)
• Draw: 0-0 vs Tottenham Hotspur (H)
• Draw: 2-2 vs Manchester City (H)

Recent Champions League matches:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Monaco (A)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Union Saint-Gilloise (H)
• Win: 3-0 vs Ajax (A)
• Win: 3-1 vs Bodø / Glimt (H)
• Win: 1-0 vs Liverpool (H)

Monaco have just claimed a 1-0 win over Galatasaray, boosting their position at 18th with nine points from a recent form that includes draws against strong sides like Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, plus away wins. They now face Olympique Marseille on 2025-12-14 at 19:45, with the opponents currently 16th on nine points, making this a key clash for both teams to climb away from the lower half of the table and build momentum.

Galatasaray have just suffered a 1-0 defeat to Monaco, leaving them 17th with nine points after a run of recent losses including against Union Saint-Gilloise, despite earlier wins over Ajax and Liverpool. Their next fixture is against Antalyaspor on 2025-12-13 at 17:00, with the opposition’s position and points yet to be confirmed, offering a chance to bounce back and stabilise their standing in the league.

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