- Balogun made his first start for the French team following his $26 million transfer
- But he had a hell of a time on his debut, breaking free twice from the penalty spot
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As far as nightmare debuts go, not many can top Folarin Balogun’s disastrous first start for new club Monaco.
The USMNT forward put his career in full swing in Monaco on Friday after completing a $26 million move from Arsenal last month, with expectations high following his impressive loan spell with French team Reims last season.
But unfortunately for both Balogun and his new employers, his long-awaited full debut did not go to plan.
In the opening 12 minutes of his goal in Monaco, the 22-year-old squandered a golden opportunity to score his first goal for the club from the penalty spot.
His weak, low effort was comfortably kept out by Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, which was a huge blow for the $26 million man on his big night in France.
Folarin Balogun missed two penalties in a nightmarish debut for his new club Monaco
However, things quickly went from bad to worse for Balogun when Monaco were awarded another penalty ten minutes into the second half.
After showing courage by getting to the spot for a second time after already being denied, the former Arsenal star’s bravery was not rewarded as Bulka kept out his penalty again.
The two misses came as a huge blow to Balogun as he looked to escape his new team, and to make matters worse, they eventually fell to a 1-0 defeat.
Nearly 25 minutes after being substituted, Jeremy Boga scored an injury-time winner for Nice, adding to Balogun and Monaco’s misery.
Monaco coach Adi Hutter said after the match: ‘(Balogun) was unlucky tonight. He is also very frustrated. He is a young striker and he will help us in the future.
Balogun stepped up from the spot for the first time just 12 minutes after his first start for the French team
But he was denied by Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, missing a chance to score his first goal
The $26 million forward then re-entered ten minutes into the second half with the score tied at 0-0
But he couldn’t find a way past Bulka for the second time, which was a huge frustration
“We’ll help him bounce back, but we win together and we lose together.”
Balogun was on the scoresheet in his first-ever appearance for the club last week, but nevertheless took the lead in an eventual 2-2 draw against Lorient.
But the forward will have to pick himself up after his home-bow horror at Stade Louis II.
He will have the chance to make up for his double penalty when Monaco play Marseille next Saturday.