Monaco Held to 1-1 Draw in Toulouse Amid Squad Rotation
AS Monaco were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw away to Toulouse on Saturday in Ligue 1, as manager Leonardo Jardim opted for heavy squad rotation with one eye on the club’s crucial UEFA Champions League play-off second leg against Valencia CF.
Making eight changes to his usual starting XI, Jardim gave opportunities to several fringe players, a move that appeared to impact the team’s rhythm early on. Monaco struggled to impose themselves in the first half and were unable to find their usual attacking fluency.
Midfielder Tiemoué Bakayoko, one of those brought into the side, admitted after the match that the team’s slow start stemmed from the lack of match fitness among many players.
“The start of the match wasn’t our best,” Bakayoko told beIN Sports. “We had players who hadn’t played much, so we needed time to get back into the swing of things. That lack of competition showed early on.”
Despite the sluggish opening, Monaco improved as the game progressed. They managed to level the score and push for a winner but fell short of securing all three points. The result leaves them with mixed feelings as they head into their high-stakes European clash.
“We came to win, so there’s a bit of disappointment,” Bakayoko added. “But overall, the result is fair given how the match unfolded. We did some interesting things later on.”
Monaco’s focus now shifts to Valencia, who claimed a 3-1 victory in the first leg at the Mestalla. Jardim’s men will need a strong and spirited performance at home to overturn the deficit and secure a place in the Champions League group stage.
While the draw in Toulouse may seem like a missed opportunity in the league, it may prove a necessary compromise if Monaco can achieve European qualification in midweek.
