Sunderland loanee Simon Adingra made his Champions League debut on Tuesday
Sunderland loanee Simon Adingra made his Champions League debut for new club AS Monaco on Tuesday night, losing 3-2 in a knockout stage play-off first leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Ivorian left the Black Cats on deadline day of the January transfer window, sealing a temporary move to the Ligue 1 outfit that could be made permanent at the end of the season.
Since then, he has wasted little time in endearing himself to supporters in Monaco, scoring twice in a 3-1 victory over FC Nantes last Friday. In light of that display, Adingra was named in the starting XI for Tuesday’s continental fixture against PSG, playing 70 minutes before being substituted.
Monaco began the contest in ideal fashion, taking the lead in the first minute courtesy of former Arsenal prospect Folarin Balogun, who then doubled his side’s advantage shortly after. PSG would hit back on the half-hour mark, however, going on to equalise just prior to half-time. From there, Adingra’s side had a man sent off in the opening exchanges of the second period, with their opponents capitalising to score a winning goal in the 67th minute.
For his part, Adingra was making his debut in the Champions League proper, with his only previous dalliance with the competition coming in a pair of qualification ties against Rangers during his time at Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise back in 2022.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s match, the Sunderland loanee had spoken enthusiastically of his excitement at testing himself at the very highest level of European football. He said: "Everyone dreams of it. They [PSG] are the defending champions, we know their potential, their great players. But the most important thing is Monaco. We know what we want to achieve, we're focused."
He added: "I've gained confidence for the upcoming matches. I feel good physically. I'm in Monaco to contribute my expertise, show my potential, but also help the club achieve its goals."
Adingra and his new teammates will have an opportunity to overturn their one-goal deficit when they face PSG in the second-leg of their play-off tie next Wednesday evening.
The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join ourSAFC WhatsApp channel.
What did Simon Adingra say about his Sunderland exit?
Explaining the reasoning behind his switch to Monaco in a press conference shortly after completing the move, Adingra said: “The club from the Principality spoke to me about their interest, my qualities and the project. I quickly saw AS Monaco’s ambition through the discussions I had with head coach Sebastien Pocognoli.
“The sporting project immediately appealed to me, so the decision came naturally. The style of play and the environment also played a part, as did the fact of playing in a French-speaking country and league – a language I’m comfortable with – which makes my adaptation easier. I’m here to help the team and show what I can do best.”
Reflecting on his time at the Stadium of Light, Adingra continued: “The season at Sunderland was marked by some more difficult moments. Today, I want to focus on the present and move forward with the Red and Whites. I feel very good, both physically and mentally, and confident about what lies ahead. Enjoyment is essential for a player with my skill set and that comes through playing time. I’ve played less recently, so I’m here to regain confidence, rhythm and that sense of being.”
Continue Reading