AS Montlouis kicked off their 2026-27 pre-season campaign in style, edging local rivals Blois 3-2 in an entertaining international club friendly played on Thursday evening. The match, hosted at Montlouis's home ground, produced five goals and plenty of open football as both sides shook off the rust of the summer break and gave their supporters an early glimpse of what lies ahead.

Match Overview

With the new season looming on the horizon, Montlouis head coach used this friendly to test a blend of first-team regulars and promising academy talents. The opening exchanges were cautious, typical of an early-July fixture, but the tempo soon rose as both teams pushed forward. Blois struck first, capitalizing on a defensive lapse, but Montlouis responded with two quick goals to take control before halftime. The second half saw Blois restore parity once more, only for Montlouis to find the decisive goal in a flowing counter-attack that delighted the home supporters.

Key Moments

• Blois take the lead: A well-worked corner routine allowed an unmarked Blois forward to head home past the Montlouis goalkeeper in the 23rd minute.
• Montlouis equalize: Ten minutes later, a direct run down the right flank ended with a low cross that was swept in from close range to make it 1-1.
• Montlouis turn it around: Just before the interval, a clever give-and-go on the edge of the box opened up the Blois defence, and a composed finish sent the hosts into the break with a 2-1 advantage.
• Blois level again: The visitors came out strongly after the restart and were rewarded with a well-struck effort from 18 yards to make it 2-2.
• Winning goal: With roughly 20 minutes remaining, Montlouis opened up the pitch on the break, and a clinical third goal sealed the 3-2 victory.

Tactical Story

The match was played at a high intensity, especially for a pre-season friendly, and both sides attempted to play out from the back. Montlouis looked most dangerous when they transitioned quickly, using the pace of their wide forwards to stretch a Blois defence that played a relatively high line. Blois, meanwhile, enjoyed long spells of possession in the middle third but often lacked a final pass in the final third. Montlouis's willingness to press in bursts unsettled the visitors and led directly to several second-half turnovers.

Standout Players

For the home side, the central midfielder was the driving force, covering every blade of grass and orchestrating attacks with a series of sharp passes. His energy set the tone, particularly in the second half. The Montlouis left-winger also impressed, constantly beating his full-back and providing the assist for the decisive goal. On the Blois side, the striker who headed them into an early lead looked sharp throughout and helped link play effectively, while the visiting goalkeeper made several fine saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

Match Impact and Looking Ahead

While the result carries no official weight in the standings, it represents a valuable confidence boost for AS Montlouis as they continue their pre-season preparations. The coaching staff will be encouraged by the team's resilience after twice falling behind, as well as their attacking output. For Blois, the defeat highlights areas to improve defensively, but the performance offered plenty of positives, especially in the final third. Both clubs will now turn their attention to their next friendly fixtures as they build toward the start of the competitive season.