Radamel Falcao scored on his first competitive appearance since
returning to Monaco but was unable to prevent a 2-1 defeat at an
Emmanuel Emenike-inspired Fenerbahce in the first leg of their UEFA
Champions League third-qualifying round tie.
After unsuccessful
loan spells at Manchester United and Chelsea, Falcao has returned to the
Ligue 1 side with two years still remaining on his contract.
The
30-year-old started in attack as Monaco took on Fenerbahce at the Sukru
Saracoglu Stadium, capitalising on a defensive error to mark his return
with a close-range goal.
Falcao’s first-half strike had cancelled out Emmanuel Emenike’s
opener, but the former West Ham United attacker ensured the Turkish team
hold the upper hand ahead of the return match with a phenomenal second
on 63 minutes.
Ex-Paris Saint-Germain fullback Gregory van der
Wiel picked out Emenike in space in the box and the striker sent a
brilliant volley into the bottom corner.
Nevertheless, Falcao’s
away goal could yet play a crucial role when the tie comes to its
conclusion at the Stade Louis II next week.