In the race for European places, Monaco had difficulties but won against Troyes (2-1). It was more complicated for Lille and Nantes who were respectively hooked on the score of 1-1 by Angers and Brest.
While this Ligue 1 Sunday had started with a good duel between Bordeaux and Metz (3-1), AS Monaco sixth received a Trojan team (15th) which is still playing its maintenance for the rest of the 31st day. While the pace was quite slow at the start of the match between the two teams, Monaco slowly picked up the pace. A good job between Aleksandr Golovin and Wissam Ben Yedder offered a good possibility (15th). Then the Russian obtained a free kick well placed in the axis that Caio Henrique transformed with an attempt rolled up under the crossbar (1-0, 19th). Maintaining the pressure, Monaco continued to have control of the ball and deployed in the opposing camp. Troyes tried to resume with a dangerous cross from Xavier Chavalerin (31st). Then a free kick from Rominigue Kouamé which ended in the wall (34th).
Finally, Troyes managed to equalize on a good ball from Florian Tardieu in front of the surface which benefited Iké Ugbo. The Canadian played with Benoît Badiashile before adjusting Alexander Nübel (1-1, 39th). Surprised, Monaco tried to raise their heads, but finally found themselves back to back with the Champenois when they returned to the locker room. Monaco struggled to regain control of the match and Kevin Volland replaced a disappointing Myron Boadu (56th). Launched on the left, Aleksandr Golovin crossed hard towards the far post where the German striker controlled and chained with a powerful recovery which lodged in the left corner (2-1, 57th). But as in the first period, Monaco retreated after scoring their goal and it took a nice save from Caio Henrique in front of Iké Ugbo to save the Asemists (68th). In pain, Monaco held on until the end and won 2-1. The Rock club remains sixth, but returns to a point behind Strasbourg (4th) and Nice (5th).
Lille and Nantes missed the mark
Seventh in Ligue 1, Lille moved on its side to Angers in order to get closer to European places. The Scoists (14th) wanted to continue to move away from the red zone in the race for maintenance. The locals started the match well and it was Batista Mendy who spoke first with a heavy shot deflected by Léo Jardim for a corner (12th). Angers continued to hurt, but lost to injury Mathias Pereira Lage (23rd). Lille tried from a free kick, but Tiago Djalo’s header was caught by Anthony Mandréa (31st). Angers then lost Stéphane Bahoken to injury (42nd) and Sofiane Boufal came close to scoring (44th). An interesting first act from Angers against rather shy Lille residents. In the second half, Angers continued to push and Souleyman Doumbia on the left side centered in front of goal. Under opposing pressure, Tiago Djalo diverted into his own net (1-0, 64th). While the trap seemed to be closing in on the Mastiffs, Edon Zhegrova split with a sublime shot from the skylight to put the two teams tied (1-1, 74th). In a rather tense end to the match, the two teams finally parted ways in a 1-1 draw. In the standings, Lille remains seventh and finds itself three points behind Strasbourg (4th) and Nice (5th). Missed opportunity for the Mastiffs. Angers take a six-point lead over Saint-Étienne, which is the barrage.
Nice duel from the west, the match between Brest and Nantes was interesting. Twelfth, the Bretons wanted to play free with an almost acquired maintenance while the Nantes who were eighth still dreamed of Europe. And this match started at a good pace and Brest obtained the first possibility via a free kick where the deflection of Paul Lasne was countered by Dennis Appiah (4th). Nantes responded in a very good way since Quentin Merlin, well found on the left by Wylan Cyprien, crossed at the near post for Randal Kolo Muani who found the fault (1-0, 10th). Despite this goal scored, Brest tried to react. If the match was stopped for a few minutes (23rd) for jets of smoke, the game quickly resumed. Nantes insisted twice with a heavy shot from Wylan Cyprien which went over the frame (30th) then a shot from Pedro Chirivella which was repelled by Marco Bizot (32nd). Brest responded through Lilian Brassier (39th), but found themselves behind at the break.
The second period was disrupted by the entry of some supporters on the lawn and the match was again stopped (51st). Finally after a new interruption, the game resumed and if Randal Kolo Muani found Andrei Girotto whose recovery put Marco Bizot to contribution (58th), Brest brought more and more danger. Launched in depth, Martin Satriano played Alban Lafont and thought to equalize. The striker on loan from Inter Milan was flagged offside (60th). Stirring, the Brest striker got himself a new dangerous opportunity (63rd). On a corner from Youcef Belaïli, Steve Mounié’s header was diverted by the goalkeeper, but Brendan Chardonnet followed well and equalized (1-1, 67th). Although tense, this end of the match did not see any team take the advantage. Nantes remains stuck in eighth place and the European places are moving away. Brest continues to glean to confirm its maintenance.
The afternoon results
-
SCO Angers 1-1 Lille OSC: Tiago Djalo (64th, CSC) for Angers; Edon Zhegrova (74th) for Lille
-
Stade Brestois 29 1-1 FC Nantes: Brendan Chardonnet (67th) for Brest; Randal Kolo Muani (10th) for FC Nantes
-
AS Monaco 2-1 ES Troyes AC: Caio Henrique (19th) and Kevin Volland (57th) for AS Monaco; Ike Ugbo (39th) for Troyes
