Monaco throws down the gauntlet

French swashbucklers eye more conquests after cutting down City

MONACO - Monaco is the team to fear when the Champions League draw is made on Friday.

That's the view of coach Leonardo Jardim, the architect of a lethal attack that has produced 126 goals this season.

Monaco topped up its goal tally on Wednesday night, stunning Manchester City 3-1 to reach the last eight on the away-goals rule after losing the first leg of the last-16 tie 5-3 in England.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Leicester complete the quarterfinal lineup.

Asked if Monaco should be fearful or feared in the last eight, Jardim was clear.

"It's more a case of the latter," said the 42-year-old.

Monaco advanced despite the absence of injured 24-goal top scorer Radamel Falcao and suspended star defender Kamil Glik.

"Falcao out, Glik out. Not many people thought we had a chance to qualify," Jardim said.

"I always defend Ligue 1. France has good teams, good players, good managers."

The Portuguese coach has instilled huge belief into his side, which is on course for a domestic treble.

"I thought if we scored three we would go through and the players had that in mind," he said.

"English teams have suited us well in the last couple of years. We knocked out Arsenal (in 2015) and we beat Tottenham twice this season (in the group stage)."

Midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko's thumping 77th-minute header proved the decisive goal.

City fought back from 2-0 down and was momentarily in control after Leroy Sane's 71st-minute strike.

However, Bakayoko rose imperiously to meet Thomas Lemar's curling freekick as the contest finished 6-6 on aggregate.

"Monaco deserved to go through," Jardim said. "Even in the first leg, City had a bit of luck."

City boss Pep Guardiola lamented his side's dire first-half performance.

"At this level, you have to play more than 45 minutes," Guardiola said. "The gap between the first and the second halves is there."

Living up to his reputation as one of Europe's hottest properties, Monaco's 18-year-old forward Kylian Mbappe scored from close range in the eighth minute, his 11th goal in as many games.

Brazilian midfielder Fabinho made it 2-0 in the 29th minute with a crisp shot near the penalty spot after excellent work by leftback Benjamin Mendy.

Three weeks ago, City rallied from 3-2 down with three goals in the last 20 minutes and Guardiola's side needed another comeback on the French Riviera.

City played much better in the second half, with Sane scoring after Sergio Aguero wasted two good chances.

Germany international Sane smashed into the roof of the net after Danijel Subasic's save from Raheem Sterling's low shot fell into his path.

But it was not enough, and Monaco's lap of honor was richly deserved.

In the night's other match, Atletico Madrid drew 0-0 at home to Bayer Leverkusen to ease through 4-2 on aggregate.

There was a touch of destiny about Monaco's win.

The club faced an almost identical position in 2004 when it overturned a 4-2 first-leg loss at Real Madrid to reach the semifinals.

That was one of the best nights in the club's history, and the fans want another one.

The compact Stade Louis II, with its capacity of 18,500, is one of the quieter arenas in France and is rarely full.

But it was on Wednesday, as red-and-white-clad fans chanted "Le stade avec vous!" (the stadium is with you) from the first whistle.

Guardiola had spoken with gushing admiration about Monaco's attack before the match, saying it was impossible to stop, and the Spaniard was proved right.

With seven minutes played, striker Valere Germain won possession and released Mbappe, but the young Frenchman telegraphed his shot and goalkeeper Willy Caballero stood up well to make a fine save.

But a minute later, Mbappe was celebrating.

Mendy, reportedly a transfer target of City's, had a cross blocked by England centerback John Stones before the ball fell to Bernardo Silva, whose drilled pass found Mbappe and the teenager made no mistake. The impressive Lemar started the move for Monaco's second goal.

By that point, Guardiola was pacing up and down, all gesticulation and pointed fingers.

Jardim, in contrast, stood perfectly still, hands behind his back like an army general watching his plans unfurl to perfection.

"We had to be fresh, close them down all over the pitch and not let them get on the ball," Jardim said.

"That's what we did."

Associated Press

Monaco players celebrate their 3-1 UEFA Champions League last-16, second-leg victory over Manchester City at Stade Louis II, Monaco, on Wednesday. The tie finished 6-6 on aggregate as the Ligue 1 side advanced on away goals. Eric Gaillard / Reuters