Brentford B made it six wins on the bounce in all competitions as they beat AS Monaco 2-1 at AS Monaco Training Centre on Thursday.
The hosts’ line-up featured World Cup winner Paul Pogba as he returns from injury and former Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier. Pogba scored Monaco’s goal in the first half.
Brentford captain Josh Stephenson responded to equalise for the young Bees just after half-time, before Theo Mawene netted the winner for Sam Saunders’ side.
Under stunning sunshine in Monaco the game started with a high intensity as both sides looked to put their stamp on the game.
Bees goalkeeper Reggie Rose was called into action twice early on in the contest, on both occasions making superb saves to keep the game level through 15 minutes.
On 20 minutes the west Londoners had their best look on goal as Riley Owen’s corner found Ethan Laidlaw at the back post, but his header faded right of the goal.
Pogba looked to threaten a minute later as he sent a strike goalward, but Rose was up to the task and made another save.
Roles were reversed on 25 minutes. After Ilane Toure made a swift move into the box and hit the post with his shot, the ball rebounded to Pogba near the edge of the box, and the former Manchester United midfielder fired it home with a powerful low strike from the edge of the box before departing the pitch on a minutes restriction.
On 35 minutes Pape Cabral looked to double the hosts’ lead as he got a look on goal, but the ball sailed wide and out of play.
Despite the scoreboard Saunders’ side were full of faith coming out of the break and they didn’t have to wait long for an equaliser.
From a short corner Owen played the ball to Stephenson outside the box, the defender pushing forward into the space and firing the ball into the top-right corner from the edge of the box.
The hour mark brought the second goal for Brentford following a period of dominance in the game. A brilliant run down the right side from Joseph Wheeler-Henry saw the defender make his way into the box before cutting the ball back, where Mawene awaited the pass and finished well past Yann Lienard in goal for Monaco.
Fresh legs for the hosts meant that Monaco enjoyed a period dominating the ball as the game inched towards the finish, but Brentford substitutes Domeiro Bobb-Semple, Beau Redknapp, Micaiah Fanoiki and Nathaniel Ogungbemi provided strong defensive efforts for the west Londoners.
On 87 minutes the equaliser was almost found for Monaco. A well-placed cross was met by Yannick Dodo in the middle of the box whose bicycle kick effort cannoned into the bar before being cleared.
Down the other end a brilliant individual run from Owen saw the midfielder find space in the box to score, however his effort sailed inches wide of the goal.
Saunders’ side held on for an impressive win, making it six wins in a row in all completions for the Bees.
They’ll next be in action on Tuesday 31 March as they face Fleetwood Town at Gtech Community Stadium in Professiona Development League action.
Tickets are available here.
AS Monaco: Lienard, Dier, Pogba, Biereth, Ouattara, Faes, Fati, Cabral, Konate, Leunga Leunga, Toure
Subs: Tinkers, Dembaga, Belmokhtar, Mokabakila, Ajroud, Dodo, Sylla, Sitou, Coudour, Moulangou, Decrenisse
Brentford B: Rose, Wheeler-Henry, Picotto, Stephenson, Avenell (Redknapp 80), Grey, Shield, Owen, Mawene (Bobb-Semple 80), Pierre (Fanoiki 89), Laidlaw (Ogungbemi 89)
Subs not used: Asemokhai, Wolfheimer, Y Ouattara, Hanson, Golding
Saunders: It was an outstanding performance
Brentford B head coach Sam Saunders praised his side for their efforts in their comeback win over AS Monaco away from home on Thursday.
"It was an outstanding performance from everyone involved with the club; staff, finishers and the starters of course," he said.
"To come up against a talented team like that, with the honours they've won and the experience and the trophies, it was outstanding from our lads.
"We said before the game, respect the names and respect the players but don't fear it, use it as an opportunity to test yourself against the very best and they did that."