The Monegasques started their Champions League campaign at the same stage as in 2017, in the third preliminary round on Tuesday against PSV Eindhoven.
They hope for the same success as during this campaign, where AS Monaco had been until the semi-finals, eliminated by Juventus.
But we are still far from it.
After conceding a draw at Louis II (1-1) on Tuesday, it will absolutely be necessary to win the return match next Tuesday.
It was Monaco who showed the most enterprising during the meeting.
The Monegasques generally mastered the game, but PSV Eindhoven initially showed themselves to be more realistic.
After a VAR check, AS Monaco did not get a penalty on a potential Dutch hand in the area following a powerful strike from Youssouf Fofana (33rd).
To the chagrin of the stadium, which is cooled 5 minutes later by the opening of the opposing score.
Joey Veerman concludes with an unstoppable strike a great collective action from the visitors (38th), who score on their first shot on target of the match.
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Immediate but fruitless reaction for Monaco, Minamino cannot tackle in time to equalise.
ASM tries by all means to come back to the score and multiplies the assaults in the second period, even if the movements in attack lack variation.
The Monegasque offensive waves animated the end of the match, and the locals managed to equalize to allow themselves to believe in view of the second leg.
Following a free kick, Axel Disasi in ambush, takes over at point-blank range to shake the nets, and put his own back on par (80′).
Yet led for more than 40 minutes, ASM could even have hoped for a better result.
Philippe Clément's men finished the game very strong.
Arrived launched in the area, Fofana found the post by taking back a ball which trailed in the zone of truth (88 ').
Huddled in their camp, the Dutch finally held on for 5 minutes of added time.
The two teams left back to back.
Monaco showed a good face, and will have to be more efficient to hope to eliminate PSV Eindhoven during the return confrontation, next week in the Netherlands.
Whatever happens, AS Monaco will be European this season.
In the event of premature elimination in the Champions League, the Monegasques will be transferred to the Europa League.
If they continue their journey in C1, they will meet Glasgow Rangers or Union Saint-Gilloise in the play-offs.