AS Monaco began their 2026-27 preseason campaign with a narrow but encouraging 1-0 victory over Spanish side Getafe in an international club friendly at the Stade Louis II. The match, played on August 7, 2026, saw the Ligue 1 outfit control long stretches of play against a typically well-organized Getafe defense, with a single second-half strike proving enough to separate the two sides.

Match Overview

With both teams using the fixture as a key part of their summer preparations, the contest offered a useful blend of intensity and experimentation. Monaco manager Adi Hütter fielded a strong starting XI mixed with younger prospects, while Getafe's José Bordalás set his side up in a compact mid-block, as expected from the Madrid-based club. The French side enjoyed the lion's share of possession, but had to be patient against a deep-lying Getafe unit that looked dangerous on the counter.

First Half: Control Without Breakthrough

Monaco dominated the opening 45 minutes, with Aleksandr Golovin pulling the strings in midfield and new signing Maghnes Akliouche providing width on the right flank. Getafe goalkeeper David Soria was the busier of the two custodians, producing a sharp save from a Breel Embolo header in the 23rd minute and then denying Takumi Minamino from a tight angle just before the interval.

Despite their territorial dominance, Monaco went in at half-time level. Getafe's disciplined back line, marshalled by veteran defender Djene Dakonam, limited the home side to mostly half-chances. The visitors themselves nearly struck against the run of play when Borja Mayoral forced a low save from Radosław Majecki in the 38th minute, a reminder of the threat lurking on the counter.

Second Half: The Decisive Moment

The breakthrough arrived just after the hour mark. Minamino, drifting into a central pocket between Getafe's midfield and defense, slipped a clever through-ball into the path of substitute Folarin Balogun. The American striker, introduced at the start of the second half, kept his composure and slotted the ball past Soria into the bottom corner. It was a well-worked team goal and a reward for Monaco's consistent pressing.

Getafe responded with a period of sustained pressure, pushing more men forward as Bordalás introduced fresh legs. The best chance to level came in the 74th minute when Juan Iglesias's cross found substitute Ángel Rodríguez, whose cushioned volley drifted just wide of the far post. Monaco held firm late on, with Majecki commanding his box well and central defender Guillermo Maripán making a crucial block in stoppage time to preserve the clean sheet.

Standout Performers

• Takumi Minamino – The Japanese international was the creative spark throughout, dictating tempo and providing the decisive assist for the only goal of the game.
• Folarin Balogun – Sharp and hungry after coming on as a substitute, the striker's movement and finishing proved the difference between the two sides.
• Djene Dakonam – A rock for Getafe, the experienced centre-back made several important interceptions and kept Monaco's attackers largely quiet in open play.

Tactical Takeaways

For Monaco, this friendly offered plenty of encouragement. Hütter's side pressed aggressively and showed a clear desire to build from the back, with the midfield triangle of Golovin, Denis Zakaria, and Youssouf Fofana providing a solid platform. The use of Balogun and Embolo together in the second half gave the attack a different dimension, and their combination play will be worth monitoring as the season approaches.

Getafe, as always, were difficult to break down. Bordalás will be pleased with his team's defensive organization, but the lack of cutting edge in the final third remains a concern. The Spanish side generated very little from open play and will need more creativity if they are to improve on last season's mid-table finish in La Liga.

Looking Ahead

Both teams will use this result as a building block for the new campaign. Monaco continue their friendly schedule with fixtures against a number of European opponents as they aim to hit the ground running in Ligue 1, while Getafe return to Spain to face domestic opposition in their final warm-up matches. For now, the encouraging signs at the Stade Louis II will give Monaco supporters reason for optimism ahead of what promises to be a competitive season both domestically and in Europe.