PLAYER RATINGS | Monaco 2-2 Auxerre: ASM salvage draw but miss chance to close gap to podium

It sparked a frantic period, during which Balogun saw a goal disallowed for a fractional offside – after Fati had held onto the ball for a fraction too long – and a chance for Sinayoko, who, with time and space inside the Monaco box, put a tepid effort right into the arms of the grateful Hradecky.

Krépin Diatta, who struggled throughout the first half, was then involved in two big chances for the home side, first putting the ball across the face of the goal, missed by Denis Zakaria, and then heading over an overpowered cross from Akliouche. With the goal gaping, it was nonetheless a difficult chance for the Senegal international.

The likes of Aleksandr Golovin, Mamadou Coulibaly, and Mika Biereth all came on in the final minutes as Monaco searched for a goal that would, provisionally at least, catapult them up the table. The breakthrough would not come, and the draw does little to further the objectives of either side. L’AJAremain four points off OGC Nice and Monaco

Monaco player ratings

Lukas Hradecky – 3

Usually so composed in the Monaco goal, the Finnish goalkeeper made a rare mistake, allowing Sinayoko’s volley to squirm under him. Thereafter, Hradecky was composed, made the saves you would expect of him and anticipated the game well, but it was his error that left his side with a mountain to climb.

Wout Faes – 3

Denis Zakaria – 5

Thilo Kehrer – 4

Christian Mawissa – 5

Aladji Bamba – 4

Replaced by Simon Adingra (6) at half-time. The Sunderland loanee provided fresh momentum and an attacking spark. His decision-making and execution were not always up to par, but his ability to take on a man was crucial as his side looked to unpick a tight defence, which his introduction did help unlock.

Jordan Teze – 4

Krépin Diatta – 3

It was the space in behind the Senegal international that was frequently exploited by Auxerre in the first half. He was regularly all at sea and allowed the visitors to have a lot of joy in transition. There were considerable shortcomings in possession in the first half, too. He was perhaps lucky not to make way at half-time and he did somewhat redeem himself in the second 45 minutes with a more composed and accomplished display.

Ansu Fati – 5

Maghnes Akliouche – 6

It was when the France international upped the tempo and burst into life that Monaco did the same in the second half. He meandered across the pitch in an attempt to have a greater influence on the game and he did so, albeit not sufficiently for the Principality club to come away with all three points.

Folarin Balogun – 5

Auxerre selected player ratings

Lassine Sinayoko – 4

Kévin Danois – 7

He put Auxerre on the front foot with his sumptuous volley. It was a finish that was good enough to win any game, even if was not enough to do so on this occasion. His distribution in transitional phases was excellent and his combativity in midfield helped his side frustrate Monaco for long periods.

Romain Faivre – 6

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco