The Stade du Roudourou felt intimate after the grandeur of Madrid—its capacity of barely eighteen thousand was so close to the pitch that individual conversations drifted to the touchline. October's Atlantic breeze swept across Brittany, carrying salt air and the promise of rain that had delayed kickoff by fifteen minutes.

Monaco's warm-up showcased the tactical adjustments Demien had prepared. Givet's overlapping runs contrasted sharply with Ibarra's more conservative approach, while Plašil's positioning in midfield opened new angles for Alonso's distribution. These subtle changes would go unnoticed by opponents until they truly mattered.

As Guingamp emerged from the tunnel, they exuded the desperate energy of a team fighting relegation. Their supporters—vocal despite their modest numbers—created an atmosphere that belied the stadium's size. Drums echoed from the main stand, and banners criticized the club's ownership, demanding greater commitment.

The home team's lineup confirmed Demien's analysis: a 4-4-2 formation designed to disrupt Monaco's buildup play while providing direct routes to the goal through their strikers' physical presence. Lachuer and Fiorèse aimed to challenge Monaco's center-backs with constant movement and aerial duels.

Referee Bertrand Layec gathered both captains for final instructions as players completed their preparation. Giuly's armband glinted under the floodlights as he shook hands with Guingamp's captain—professional courtesy masking the competitive intensity that was about to unfold.

The opening minutes played out precisely as Demien had predicted. Guingamp pressed aggressively, forcing Monaco's defenders into longer passes that bypassed midfield entirely. Their strategy was clear: disrupt Monaco's patient buildup, create chaos, and capitalize on any mistakes to convert into scoring opportunities.

Monaco absorbed the pressure with practiced composure. Squillaci and Rodriguez handled aerial challenges with growing confidence, while Roma commanded his penalty area with decisive interventions. When possession was regained, Alonso immediately sought to establish a tempo that would gradually sap Guingamp's high-energy approach.

Monaco's methodical play created the first clear chance in the twelfth minute. Alonso found Plašil in space, the Czech midfielder's first touch eliminated a defender before released D'Alessandro between the lines. The Argentine's through ball split Guingamp's defense perfectly, but Morientes' shot struck the post, leaving the goalkeeper beaten.

Frustration rippled through the home crowd. They had hoped their team would match Monaco's intensity, but the visitors' superior technical quality was already evident. Every Monaco attack threatened to produce clear chances, while Guingamp's direct approach yielded only half-opportunities that Roma efficiently handled.

Demien stood motionless on the touchline, his expression neutral despite Monaco's early dominance. This was expected—the natural outcome of superior preparation clashing with inferior execution. The goal would come when it was honestly earned, not a moment sooner.

In the twenty-third minute, Monaco's patient approach finally bore fruit. The play began with Roma's distribution the ball to Evra, who immediately advanced it to Rothen. The winger's touch was flawless—one to control, another to accelerate past his marker, followed by a perfectly timed cross.

D'Alessandro's run into the penalty area drew both center-backs toward him, creating space for Giuly's diagonal movement from the opposite flank. The captain's header was more about placement than powerful—an intelligent decision that left Guingamp's goalkeeper with no chance even as he managed to get a hand to the ball.

1-0.

Giuly's celebration was subdued—arms raised briefly before his teammates rushed in to share the moment. On the touchline, Michel allowed himself a satisfied nod while Demien continued to observe without any visible reaction. The goal had been earned through collective understanding rather than individual brilliance.

Guingamp's response was predictably aggressive. They pushed more players forward, leaving greater spaces for Monaco to exploit through quick transitions. Their pressing became more desperate than dangerous, creating opportunities for Monaco's technically superior players to find solutions.

The second goal arrived eight minutes later, showcasing Monaco's tactical sophistication. Alonso's deep positioning drew Guingamp's attacking midfielder out of the defensive block, creating a gap D'Alessandro exploited with his usual intelligence.

The Argentine received the ball thirty yards from goal, turned swiftly, and delivered a pass sliced through three defenders with pinpoint precision. Morientes controlled it perfectly before sliding a finish under the advancing goalkeeper—an execution that was both clinical and a testament to a well constructed attack.

2-0.

This time the celebration was more exuberant. Players embraced near the corner flag while Guingamp's supporters fell silent. The gulf in quality was becoming embarrassing for the home team, their brave intentions overwhelmed by Monaco's superior execution.

In the thirty-fifth minute, Demien made his first tactical adjustment—a subtle signal to Plašil that shifted the midfielder's positioning slightly deeper. Guingamp would likely make changes at halftime, and Monaco needed to be ready for their increased desperation.

The remainder of the first half unfolded predictably. Monaco dominated possession while Guingamp chased shadows, their early energy sapped by the fruitless pursuit of an equalizer. When Layec's whistle signaled the break, the visitors left the field with a justified sense of satisfaction.

In the cramped away dressing room, Demien's halftime instructions were characteristically brief. "They'll change their approach—probably switch to three at the back to push more bodies forward. We need to stay patient. The spaces will need to open up now, not shrink."

The players listened intently, receiving individual attention from the medical staff. Rothen's hamstring was assesed after a heavy challenge, while Givet received treatment for a cut above his eyebrow. These were minor details that required careful management.

The second half began with Guingamp's anticipated changes—an extra attacker was introduced, shifting their formation to 3-5-2 in search of a greater offensive threat. This played directly into Monaco's hands, creating the very spaces Demien had predicted.

The third goal came in the fifty-fourth minute, resulting from another fluid move that showcased Monaco's tactical sophistication. Givet's overlapping run created a numerical advantage on the right flank, drawing defenders away from the central channel D'Alessandro exploited with devastating effect.

The Argentine's pass found Rothen in acres of space. The winger took one touch to control the ball before curling a shot that struck the inside of the far post and crossed the line despite the goalkeeper's desperate dive.

3-0.

Guingamp's players appeared demoralized as Monaco's supporters—a small but vocal group behind one goal—celebrated yet another display of their team's ruthless efficiency. The tactical plan was being executed with mathematical precision.

Demien began making substitutions in the sixty-fifth minute, bringing on Adebayor to replace a satisfied Morientes. The young striker injected fresh energy to maintain tempo against increasingly desperate opponents. The young striker's first touch drew applause from Monaco supporters, who appreciated his eager approach.

Guingamp managed a consolation goal in the seventy-eighth minute—a scrambled effort from a corner kick that Roma couldn't prevent despite getting a hand to the ball. Their celebrations were muted, the goal arriving too late to change the outcome but providing a semblance of dignity for their committed effort.

3-1.

The final whistle confirmed what had been clear since the first goal—Monaco's superior preparation and execution had led to another convincing victory. Players exchanged handshakes with their gracious opponents, who had given their all despite being outclassed.

In the away dressing room, a sense of satisfaction mingled with professionalism. There were no excessive celebration, just a quiet acknowledgment of a well-done job. Then, Stone arrived with good news—Lyon had drawn at home, extending Monaco's lead at the league's top to five points.

"Good performance," Giuly said, his armband still on his sleeve. "Professional, controlled, clinical. That's our standard now."

Demien reviewed his tactical notes one last time as the players began their recovery protocols. The strategies had unfolded exactly as planned—patient buildup, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing. This was another step toward the consistency that distinguished good teams from great ones.

The bus journey back to Monaco was quiet, with players reflecting on their performance. Some dozed off, others watched tactical footage on their tablets, a few engaged in hushed conversations about the match's key moments.

Demien sat near the front, already focusing on the next challenge. The victory had been achieved through meticulous preparation and focused execution—exactly the formula they needed to maintain throughout the season.

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