Lamine Camara scores as Monaco thrash Freiburg to maintain perfect Conference League start

Lamine Camara was on target as AS Monaco secured a convincing 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg in the UEFA Conference League, bouncing back from their weekend league defeat to maintain their 100% record in the competition.

The Senegalese midfielder struck in the second half at Stade Louis II, helping Monaco strengthen their position after two matchdays and extend their impressive start to the campaign.

Mamadou Coulibaly and Ansu Fati also played key roles in the victory, with Fati adding a goal in stoppage time after Monaco had taken control of the contest.

The result means Monaco have suffered just one defeat in their 11 competitive matches this season, with their only setback coming against Lorient at the weekend.

Brunner breaks the deadlock before half-time

Despite the convincing final score, Monaco had to work hard to establish control in a first half that offered little excitement in the subdued atmosphere at Stade Louis II, where renovation work continues.

Freiburg made an early attempt to put the hosts under pressure but struggled to turn their promising moments into clear-cut opportunities.

Monaco gradually found their rhythm, with Coulibaly coming close after Edan Diop delivered a looping ball into the penalty area. The midfielder attempted to redirect it towards goal, but Freiburg goalkeeper Mio Backhaus reacted well to keep the effort out.

Backhaus was called into action again to deny Paris Brunner at his near post, but the goalkeeper could do little to prevent the Monaco striker from opening the scoring moments before the interval.

Brunner collected a pass from Diop, cleverly flicked the ball over Max Rosenfelder and accelerated towards goal before calmly slotting his finish inside the near post.

The goal, his eighth in all competitions this season, gave Monaco a crucial advantage heading into the break.

Camara delivers the decisive blow

Freiburg emerged from the interval with renewed urgency and immediately pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

The German side piled pressure on Monaco through a succession of corners, with Lukas Kubler threatening to scramble the ball over the line during a chaotic spell in the hosts’ penalty area.

Monaco survived the scare, with their defenders producing important goal-line blocks to preserve their lead.

Backhaus then prevented Brunner from doubling his tally, but Freiburg struggled to maintain their attacking momentum as the second half progressed.

Monaco eventually punished their opponents for a costly mistake when Flavio Nazinho intercepted a misplaced pass and found Ansu Fati.

The forward’s effort was parried by Backhaus, but Camara arrived at the right moment to fire the rebound low into the net and give the hosts a two-goal cushion.

The Senegal international’s contribution proved vital in putting Monaco firmly in control and leaving Freiburg with a difficult task in the closing stages.

Fati added further gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time, collecting a pass from Matthis Abline before turning brilliantly inside the penalty area and curling his effort into the corner.

Monaco maintain momentum under Filipe Luis

The emphatic victory offered Monaco an immediate response to their disappointing league defeat to Lorient and reinforced their strong start under manager Filipe Luis.

With two wins from two Conference League matches, Monaco have made a positive start to their European campaign and will hope to carry that momentum into their upcoming fixtures.

For Freiburg, the defeat represents a setback under Julian Schuster, whose side reached the UEFA Europa League final last season.

Despite the loss in Monaco, Freiburg will remain hopeful of progressing to the knockout stages as the league-phase campaign continues.

Camara’s goal, meanwhile, provided another highlight for the Senegalese midfielder, who helped Monaco secure a convincing European victory and maintain their unbeaten record in the Conference League this season.