Folarin Balogun endured a tough Monaco debut, missing two penalty kicks, as local rivals Nice secured a dramatic stoppage-time victory to claim the Ligue 1 top spot on Friday.
Just a week after their stunning 3-2 win against reigning champions PSG at the Parc des Princes, Nice snatched another three points when Jeremie Boga skillfully weaved through Monaco’s defense to net the decisive goal. Francesco Farioli’s team maintained their undefeated start to the season.
Nice now leads the league, surpassing the previously unbeaten Monaco by one point, following their third victory in six games.
For United States international striker Balogun, who made his first start for Monaco after transferring from Arsenal for €30 million in the summer, it was a disappointing outing. He failed to convert penalties in the 12th and 54th minutes, with his initial attempt, awarded after a foul on Aleksandr Golovin by Jordan Lotomba, lacking power and accuracy.
His second spot-kick, which came after Morgan Sanson was penalized for a foul on Takumi Minamino, was again saved by the Polish goalkeeper.
“He was unlucky. He is frustrated,” said Monaco coach Adi Hutter.
“We’re going to help him bounce back — we win together and we lose together.”
Farioli admitted, “We were very lucky. It’s very rare to win after having conceded two penalties that were then saved.”
Balogun, who had scored off the bench in last week’s 2-2 draw with Lorient, was eventually replaced by Wissam Ben Yedder, a penalty-taking specialist.
“I’m not going to justify myself every time Ben Yedder or Balogun plays. Balogun was very good on the pitch in the game tonight,” added Hutter.
