AS Monaco wasted away Folarin Balogun’s best performance of the season to date.
Balogun scored twice on Tuesday night but Monaco suffered a 3-2 first leg loss to French rivals Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League playoffs. The American forward delivered his first brace at club level since March 2024, taking his season tally up to 10 in all competitions.
Balogun delivered an early lead for Monaco, heading home Aleksandr Golovin’s cross in the first minute. Golovin crossed from the left wing and Balogun, who was left open in the PSG box, headed back off of the ground and in.
Monaco would grab a 2-0 lead before the 20th minute mark as Balogun doubled his tally on the night. After a nice 1-2 with Maghnes Akilouche, Balogun raced upfield before drilling a low shot past Matvey Safonov into the back of the net.
Despite Vitinha missing from the penalty spot, PSG would draw level before halftime thanks to goals from Desire Doue and Achraf Hakimi.
Golovin was sent off for Monaco in the early stages of the second half after VAR overturned a yellow card decision and forced the Russian midfielder off.
PSG would take advantage of the extra man as Doue scored his second goal of the night to flip the reigning Ligue 1 champions in front 3-2.
Balogun was substituted off in the 83rd minute, watching as Monaco fell to a first leg defeat at the Stade Louis II.
Monaco’s busy schedule doesn’t get any easier with a trip to league-leading Lens on Saturday before traveling to PSG next week for the second leg of its series.
Wow that escalated quickly. I guess I should have said “that was some crappy defense”
————————
I feel like “shambolic defending” was a line in one of the EA FIFA games but I could be wrong.
I posted some like this before but it didn’t come through but……
“Folarin Balogun set multiple USMNT records in the Champions League match vs. PSG.
1) He scored the fastest goal by a U.S. player in Champions League history (under 1 minute)
2) He became the first American to score a brace in a knockout game.
3) He has scored the most goals by a USMNT player in a single Champions League season (5), surpassing Christian Pulisic.”
Job well done Sir!!!
Good job Flo! Keep that momentum going!
I know people arent going to like this, but I have Balo 1 and Wright as 2. Pepi as 3. Remember Wright started against Australia not Pepi.
Man ……Balogun is cooking,….Haji Wright is cooking……Patrick Agyemang is cooking……and Ricardo Pepi was too before he got hurt. I don’t know what it would look like in weeks to come but but as of right now, it seems like this is going to be an interesting time for the US men’s National Team
Surprisingly bad start from PSG and shambolic defending from them on the two goals.
Uncharacteristic give away from Mendes, and every worse marking from him, on the first goal. Additionally, equally as bad from Marquinhos on the second.
Having said that, props to Balogun for taking his chances, especially on the second goal. His run and first touch were quality…but his finish was clean…and even better. We will need that in a World Cup knockout round game to have a chance.
That second goal has the makings of a Balogun combination play with McKennie, Tillman, or Reyna.
…..are you using “shambolic defending” because Johnnyrazor used it below? Man come up with your own content, comments and perception of the game LOL
bizzy,
No need to be snooty about it.
JR did not invent and does not own the expression “shambolic defending”.
It is a very common phrase routinely used, usually by european writers and commentators, to describe the kind of defending you normally get from guys who haven’t yet learned how to or have forgotten how to defend.
Guys like Max Arfsten for example.
“…..It is a very common phrase routinely used, usually by european writers and commentator”
Hahaha…..No it’s not. Not on the same platform, under the same discussion, referring to the same team. JR didn’t invent or doesn’t own the word…… But it was used ONLY because he used it.
My comment might seem “snooty” to you Vacqui but I have my reasons
bizzy,
” But it was used ONLY because he used it.”
Of course. forgive me I forgot that you can read both JR’s and PG’s minds.
Vacqui – you admonishing someone for being snooty is just *chef’s kiss*
It’s not that hard Vacqui…… You don’t need to be a psychic lol, just look below. I bet you YOU don’t remember using “shambolic and defending” together until somehow today. He got it from JR, fam. Especially after somebody just used the word as distinctive and descriptive as shambolic Lmao.
MotO,
“Vacqui – you admonishing someone for being snooty is just *chef’s kiss*”
Suggesting something is unneccessary is not necessarily admonishment. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone to think bizzy might be unenlightened.
Anyone who experiences any kind of ,soccer journalism that has any kind of British connection has been hearing or reading that expression since the 1990’s. The story goes that commentators and journalists needed something more emphatic than “defending was chaotic” or bad or disastrous.
And they couldn’t say fucked up or sucked. Arfsten is a shambolic defender or Arfsten sucks as a defender? Which sounds better on TV?
Shambolic derives from shambles. It also sounds good, kind of heavy and ominous.
“Shambolic defending” It’s almost magisterial.
So the media love it. It has been with us since at least the 90’s and will probably outlast Weston McKennie’s contract extension and Cavan Sullivan’s pro career.
Shambolic ….yes does mean chaotic, disorganized, or mismanaged….. As you seem to be trying to define it to make it better.
I watch epl, bundesliga, Serie A and sometimes la liga…….”Shambolic Defending…… Even though you seem to be explaining the meaning…… Is not a common phrase used by commentators or doing the pregame shows and post game shows.
Should nobody use the ward now? Not really. Was it invented on this platform? Not really. Did he get it after reading Jr’s post? Absolutely LMAO
…….And if you’re going to read somebody’s content and try to pivot from there….. At least have the decency to not use THE EXACT descriptive words…….bruh
bizzy,
“…….And if you’re going to read somebody’s content and try to pivot from there….. At least have the decency to not use THE EXACT descriptive words…….bruh”
Really? You should own what you write bizzy.
“I bet you YOU don’t remember using “shambolic and defending” together until somehow today. ”
I’ve been trying to forget the term “shambolic defending” for years now. It sucks.
“He got it from JR, fam. Especially after somebody just used the word as distinctive and descriptive as shambolic Lmao.”
Next you’ll be trying to tell me SBI developed franchised versions of ” thrown under the bus” or ” park the bus”. There are people who think if you say a lie long and loud enough and often enough everyone will believe it but that is not always true.
……. Sometimes I feel like you’re either not comprehending or you just refuse to see the point.
Using certain words after someone has used those describing words in a phrase, in a comment that is specific and distinctive, means that you read or took it from that person’s post. Example: You have never heard the word “cheeky fellow” ON HERE used regularly but you’ve hear it, especially sometimes by commentators during EPL games. So if we are talking on a post and I say the words “cheeky fellow” and just above somebody else use cheeky fellow while talking about the same thing I was talking about, it means more than likely they read my post and they regurgitated that particular adjective / phrase……..so what I’m saying is “Shambolic Defending” was not in Papi grande idiota’s vocabulary until JR said it……it’s just that simple. He’s being called out because he likes leaving negative and insulting comments on here. Which of course I love to meet fire with fire LOL
bizzy,
“……. Sometimes I feel like you’re either not comprehending or you just refuse to see the point.”
Right. Just because I see your point and understand, it doesn’t mean I agree with it.
“Using certain words after someone has used those describing words in a phrase, in a comment that is specific and distinctive, means that you read or took it from that person’s post. Example: You have never heard the word “cheeky fellow” ON HERE used regularly but you’ve hear it, especially sometimes by commentators during EPL games. So if we are talking on a post and I say the words “cheeky fellow” and just above somebody else use cheeky fellow while talking about the same thing I was talking about, it means more than likely they read my post and they regurgitated that particular adjective / phrase……..so what I’m saying is “Shambolic Defending” was not in Papi grande idiota’s vocabulary until JR said it……it’s just that simple. He’s being called out because he likes leaving negative and insulting comments on here. Which of course I love to meet fire with fire LOL”
I get it. You’re having a little back and forth with PG.
If this were in a bar I’d just leave you two alone to slap each other silly. Who gives a fuck.
But this is a public forum.
And you’re posting falsehoods.
So, tough shit, but anything you post here, regardless of what you think or say, is subject to comment from anyone. When you post ridiculous lies like ” shambolic defending” is NOT a well worn cliche that is years old with anyone who is just moderately exposed to soccer media with any kind of British tint, well that is an easily disproved lie, regardless of your contretemps with PG.
Lol, You still don’t get it . You say you get it but you still do not appear to get it……Shambolic defending in itself is a word that was not invented here, (but YOU never would have used it because it’s not that common and it’s not in your vocabulary of words / phrases as you have never used it on here before…… So stay with me lol)……. but if the person who used the word is the same person going around and trying to INSULT people that they don’t know what they’re talking about……..then turn around and take up the word from somebody else’s posts makes them look like a complete idiot. ……this is not that hard lol
Nobody creates or uses words on this platform they created or manufactured out of thin air (or it won’t be a word) lol.
But that particular phrase used to describe that particular team formation or strategy or tactics that was put together by someone else (JR) and is taken and used by someone else (PGI) that likes to complain about others not knowing what they’re talking about……. Needs to be highlighted for their dimwit tendencies. Your lack of comprehension just got caught in the crossfire lol
On this platform, people can respectfully agree to disagree, and that’s what makes it interesting. Everybody is seeing a game from multiple angles and different perspectives and commenting on what they feel things should be or should not, but when insults start flying, that’s a whole different area of logic. Now based on the comments it might seem brash to some but again, I bet you the person it is meant for is getting the message loud and clear
“……When you post ridiculous lies like ” shambolic defending” is NOT a well worn cliche that is years old with anyone who is just moderately exposed to soccer media with any kind of British tint”. ……. There’s only one person being ridiculous here.
……when was the last time you used that phrase “shambolic defending” on here to describe absolutely anything or anyone? Let me help you….NEVER lol.
Hearing the phrase / knowing the phrase…… is totally different from actually using the phrase as part of your comments. The pattern of words people use on a regular basis is often called their vernacular. Shambolic Defending is not one of yours or PGI. It might be a well-worn cliche to a Brit…… But definitely not to you (and that doesn’t mean you haven’t heard it before), as you have never “worn” that phrase before on this platform to describe absolutely anything and everything……EVER LOL
Oof, how does he lose Balo on that first goal? Just walks away from him 5 yards from goal to cover empty space.
Yeah, the CB just sort of wandered off at a very strange moment. Balogun shrugged and took it, which he should have done. You take what you’re gifted.
The second one was really good, though. Showed all the things I like about Balogun – he’s strong, he’s fast, he’s aware, he times his runs well and he can be as incisive as a sword thrust. And if you’re doing that to PSG you can do it to anyone.
What a day for him. To bad Monaco let it slip.
Wrll looks like AC Milan are willing to sell Pulisic. Que Liverpool, Manchester United vying for him in the summer.
So pleased for Balogun. He can do so well when he gets just a little bit of support and encouragement. (Well, who can’t.)
And as for McKennie — a young man from Texas, and from Germany; and one whose joy in life seems infectious, as well as his interest in becoming a part of even more languages and cultures. Weltbürger, much? And he likes dogs?
So I’m happy if he can sometimes play farther front. (Since he can apparently play almost anywhere — has he ever been tried in goal? )
But …
Is his absence farther back perhaps a contributing factor to leaking so many goals? He can do a lot, but he can’t be everywhere at once all the time.
Who in the USMNT, besides Adams, can toughen up and anchor that defensive midfield, to give McKennie a little more space and time elsewhere? Or do we need McKennie more crucially back in a more solid, less flashy spot?
Tessman and Adams seem likely as the pair. Tessman is balling as a 6 for Lyon.
Yes, we have no shortage of 6s to play with Adams. Tessman, Jonny, Roldan, Morris, Berhalter, Sands. Musah, Maloney. Probably a few others that I’m forgetting about now.
There’s no need to play McKennie deep as a 6,
Spalletti was absolutely not kidding when he said Mckennie could play as a center forward. That’s where he started today (4-3-3) against Galatasaray but the game didn’t go too well, smh….. This kid is so versatile as a player (at a high level)…..wow
Some real shambolic defending in the 2nd half from the Bianconeri. If Bremer is out for an extended time the Spalletti era could grind to a screeching halt.
This game was crazy.!!!!! Even though PSG started with majority of the ball…..
1) Balogun scores in f@$&ing 1st minute
2) Then he scores again in he 18th minute
3) Then PSG gets a penalty around the 20th minute
4) Then the penalty is saved by Kohn
5) Dembele goes off in the 27th minute.
6) Then Doue comes on for Dembele and scores almost immediately.
All within the first 30 minutes of play……..What?? absolutely Crazy!
Only saw the highlights, but yes, a crazy series of events for a Champions League knockout round in the opening 30-40 minutes of the first half of the first leg.