US Monastir fell heavily at home against JS Kabylie (0-3) in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the African Champions League, played Friday at the Taïeb Mhiri stadium in Sfax. A defeat which seriously compromises the Tunisian club’s chances of reaching the group stage.
In an intense North African derby, the Tunisians lacked defensive rigor and offensive efficiency. Despite a balanced start to the match, JS Kabylie was more lucid and better organized. After several alerts from Messoudi (6th) and Merghem (13th), the Algerians opened the scoring after returning from the locker room: Mehdi Merghem, completely free of any marking, sent an unstoppable strike from 20 meters in the 49th minute.
Dejected and disorganized, the Montassar Louhichi players then broke down twice. In the 64th minute, Lahlou Akhrib doubled the lead on a well-led counter-attack by Aymen Lamhari. Then, at the end of the match (89th), Babacar Sarr took advantage of a missed exit from goalkeeper Abdessalem Hlaoui to score the third Kabyle goal.
Almost impossible mission in Tizi Ouzou
Supported by a solid defense and a perfectly controlled collective game, JS Kabylie dominated the debates on all levels. More disciplined and technically superior, the Algerian players were able to impose their rhythm and exploit each Tunisian error.
Despite the offensive changes made by Louhichi (entries of Jebali, Gadiaga and Zammouri), US Monastir never managed to seriously worry the Algerian goalkeeper Hadid.
With three away goals to go, the task promises to be herculean for US Monastir, who will have to sign a historic feat in the return match, scheduled for October 25 at the Hocine Aït Ahmed stadium in Tizi Ouzou. JS Kabylie is already looking ahead to the group stage of the most prestigious African competition.
