Bakar to the front for Monaco

Trailing to lower-league opposition with the clock ticking ominously towards full time, the weekend could have ended disappointingly for AS Monaco FC, but instead they emerged with a new hero – 18-year-old striker Djamel Bakar.

Hat-trick
The France youth international has played a total of five Ligue 1 minutes this season but sent on as a substitute during the second half of their French Cup tie with Stade Brestois 29 with the Ligue 2 team leading, Bakar equalised in the dying seconds to open his professional account. He then struck twice in extra time to seal a memorable hat-trick and a 3-1 victory to ensure the five-time competition winners did not suffer the early exit of top-flight rivals RC Lens, SM Caen and Toulouse FC.

Keeping grounded
Bakar, who has roots in Comoros, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique, believes it will prove the first of many such feats. "This treble is not the end," Bakar said. "I know how to keep my feet on the ground thanks to my family coming from one of the poorest countries in Africa. When I came on I tried to do my best but it's the first time I have scored three goals in a game." Monaco coach Ricardo agrees it was no fluke. "You don't score three goals in such conditions by accident," the Brazilian said. "He is a talented player. And believe me, he is very comfortable when he is in the spotlight because he keeps feet on the ground."

Return to roots
The principality club, who unearthed Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet, may now have another attacking gem, who like Zinédine Zidane hails from Marseille. And it is to that city that Bakar will return in next round as Monaco have been drawn to face Olympique de Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome. "I was born in Marseille and started playing football in the city," Bakar said. "I'm happy to go back there for the round of 32."