Share

Monaco's campaign in five figures

Monaco - Monaco have taken Europe by storm this season and Wednesday's 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund took them into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Here are five figures that give the story of a remarkable season so far:

141: The number of goals the principality side have scored in total this season. They have played 54 games, more than anyone else among Europe's top sides, but are scoring at an average of 2.6 goals per game. Leading the way is Radamel Falcao, the Colombian striker and team captain having scored his 27th of the season against Dortmund in a campaign that has relaunched his career after miserable loan spells at Manchester United and Chelsea. "It is in our DNA to play attacking football," said coach Leonardo Jardim after Wednesday's game.

18: At just 18 years and four months old, teen prodigy Kylian Mbappe has emerged as the star in a side full of brilliant young players who will be on the wishlist of all Europe's biggest sides this close season. As football statisticians Opta revealed on Wednesday, Mbappe became the youngest player ever to get to five goals in the Champions League knockout phase, beating Real Madrid great Raul's previous mark, after netting the opener against Dortmund. He also has 16 goals in his last 16 games for the club.

16: The number of games Monaco will have played in the Champions League after the two legs of next month's semi-final. They entered the competition in the third qualifying round last July, just two and a half weeks after France lost to Portugal in the final of Euro 2016. They had to beat Turkish giants Fenerbahce and Villarreal of Spain just to reach the group stage. The last team to get to the last four after coming through two qualifying rounds was Dynamo Kiev of Ukraine in 1998-99. However, the competition was shorter then -- Dynamo went straight from the group stage to the quarter-finals, while Monaco needed to beat Manchester City in the last 16 before facing Dortmund. "We haven't won anything, but we have made history," said Jardim with a nod to that run.

4: It is the fourth time in their history that Monaco have made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League after previous runs in 1994, 1998 and 2004. On that last occasion they went all the way to the final before losing to Jose Mourinho's Porto. They are the first French representatives to make it to the semi-finals of the Champions League four times.

7: It is seven years since a French side made it to the last four of the Champions League. On that occasion Claude Puel's Lyon lost to Bayern Munich. Since then, Paris Saint-Germain's Qatari owners have pumped vast sums into the capital club in their pursuit of European glory, but they have not yet managed to get beyond the quarter-finals. Monaco also reached the last eight two seasons ago before losing to Juventus, one of their potential opponents in the semis. "This is the proof that the project we put in place a few years ago is working," rejoiced Monaco's Russian vice-president Vadim Vasilyev on Wednesday. When Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev bought out the club halfway through the 2011-12 season, Monaco were bottom of France's Ligue 2.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1137 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1313 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2011 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE