Watch former Arsenal star Folarin Balogun miss TWO penalties in new club Monaco’s nightmarish first start
FOLARIN BALOGUN had a game to forget in his first start for new club Monaco.
The former Arsenal striker missed TWO penalties in the Ligue 1 clash against Nice.
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Balogun, 22, moved to Monaco from the Gunners in the summer for a fee of around £34 million.
The striker spent last season on loan in the French top flight and developed into one of the best in the competition.
Balogun scored 21 goals in 37 games for Stade de Reims, attracting interest from across Europe.
However, Balogun appears to be still building his confidence in Monaco as he twice struggled to convert penalties against Nice.
The first attempt brought a good save from goalkeeper Marcin Bułka, although the shot didn’t reach far enough into the corner.
On the second penalty, Balogun tried to add more power to his shot, but the Polish stopper was there again to parry it.
To make matters worse for the USA international, former Chelsea youth player Jeremie Boga scored the winner for Nice in the 91st minute.
The game ended 1-0, meaning the lucky guests rose to the top of Ligue 1.
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However, Monaco and Balogun had to make do with second place for a while.
Monaco coach Adi Hutter supported Balogun as the Austrian suspected it was due to bad luck.
He said: “He was unlucky today, but we win together and lose together.”
“We have to help him a lot because he is also frustrated. He wanted to take the second penalty, but sometimes that’s football in the end.”
“We have to help him and we will do that. In the end we have good conversations and positive communication.”
“He will help us a lot in the future. He is a young striker. This evening is not one of his best, but as I said, we win together, we lose together.”
Balogun played three times for Monaco in the French league this season, scoring one goal.
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