Jordan Teze was not the most popular player for AS Monaco on the field Friday night during the home match against Lille (0-0). The former PSV player received a red card, which, according to Monaco coach Adi Hütter, was deserved.
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In the highly anticipated Ligue 1 clash between AS Monaco and Lille, Jordan Teze found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The former PSV Eindhoven defender was shown a yellow card just before halftime by referee Eric Wattellier after a series of physical confrontations. Things only got worse for Teze shortly after the break, as he was sent off with a direct red card following a reckless challenge on Lille's Gabriel Gudmundsson.
The incident occurred in the 60th minute when Teze, already walking on thin ice with a yellow card, lunged into a dangerous tackle. His high and reckless jump left Gudmundsson clutching his upper body in pain. The referee had little choice but to issue a direct red card, sending Teze off and leaving Monaco to play the remaining 30 minutes with ten men. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, a result that left Monaco's coach, Adi Hütter, frustrated and disappointed.
After the game, Hütter spoke candidly about the performance of his team, which he felt had done enough to secure all three points. "It was a great performance from us," the Austrian coach remarked. "We dominated large parts of the game and created several clear-cut chances. We deserved to win. But then came the red card, which changed everything."
Hütter was particularly critical of Teze’s actions, admitting that the defender's dismissal had a significant impact on the final result. "It was a clear red card, and he deserved it," Hütter acknowledged. "It’s a shame because we were in control and I really thought we could win. But once we went down to ten men, it became much more difficult."
The coach’s frustration was evident, as he believed Monaco had been the better side throughout the match. "We were the best team out there tonight. We dominated the match, controlled possession, and had more chances. Lille defended well, but we were unlucky not to score. In the end, it was a good game but with a disappointing result for us."
Despite the draw, Monaco remained at the top of the Ligue 1 table after eight matches, holding onto a slender lead. However, the race for the top spot was far from over, with Paris Saint-Germain breathing down their necks. With PSG just three points behind, the Monegasques knew their position at the summit could be in jeopardy by the end of the weekend. PSG was set to face Strasbourg later that Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 9:00 PM. Given PSG's superior goal difference, a win for the Parisian giants could see them leapfrog Monaco in the standings, depending on the outcome of their match.
For Teze, the red card marked a low point in what had otherwise been a promising start to his time at Monaco. The Dutch defender, who joined the club from PSV, had been seen as a key figure in Hütter’s plans. However, his ill-timed dismissal put his team under pressure and might now force Hütter to rethink his defensive options for future matches.
Monaco’s captain, Wissam Ben Yedder, expressed his disappointment after the match but remained optimistic about the team's future. "We played well, and it’s unfortunate that we couldn’t get the win. We’ve shown that we are a strong team, and we will bounce back from this," Ben Yedder said. "The red card hurt us, but we need to stay focused and keep fighting for every point."
The next few days will be crucial for Monaco as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures. With the title race heating up and PSG closing in, Hütter and his squad will need to regroup quickly. They’ll also have to cope with the absence of Teze, who is expected to receive a suspension following his red card. As Ligue 1 continues to unfold, Monaco's response to this setback could play a decisive role in their campaign for the championship.
Updated: 11:34, 19 Oct 2024
