2023-12-03 18:18:52
After two poorly negotiated trips to Le Havre (0-0) and Paris (2-5), Monaco returned to victory on Sunday at home against Montpellier (2-0) in the 14th of the Ligue 1 day, and returned , with 27 points, two points behind Nice.
In a match that was difficult to control before the break, or even at the end of the match, despite their numerical superiority due to the exclusion of Kiki Kouyaté (67th) and the goal of the deliverance signed by Wissam Ben Yedder (2-0, 90th + 3) , Adi Hütter’s men once again showed undeniable offensive qualities, but also defensive deficiencies which could prove prohibitive when aiming for the podium.
The despair of Montpellier’s Nigerian striker Akor Adams after the 2-0 defeat at Monaco in Ligue 1, December 3, 2023 at the Louis II stadium in Monaco. / AFP
Montpellier, for its part, continues its way of the cross. With 13 points, the Héraultais are only one step ahead of the barrage, Lorient.
Without Youssouf Fofana, ill and absent at the last minute, without Ben Yedder, replacing for the third time in the last four days, Monaco however did not hang around to open the score.
Very offensive, the Brazilian right back Vanderson attacked the side of the young left back, Lucas Mincarelli-Davin, 19 years old, and four short minutes in Ligue 1 on the clock before this match.
After crossing into the center, the Brazilian fired a shot that Benjamin Lecomte could only push away. On the lookout, Takumi Minamino was the quickest to react to score his fifth goal of the season (1-0, 9th).
-Monaco unbalanced-
Monaco’s Austrian coach Adi Hutter gets angry during the home match against Montpellier in Ligue 1, on December 3, 2023 at the Stade Louis II in Monaco. / AFP
But, continually focused on the offensive, the Principality team, which played this match with a four-element defense, was blocked four times before the break.
First, Philipp Köhn was excellent in front of Moussa Al-Tamari (15th). Then, the catastrophic return of Guillermo Maripan, author of the initial loss of the ball, at the feet of Akor Adams (16th), highlighted the defensive generosity of the Principality team.
Moreover, subsequently, Mohamed Camara again managed to counter the Jordanian Al-Tamari at the last moment (30th), before Maripan saved on his line in front of the Nigerian Adams (33rd).
Monaco’s French midfielder Maghnes Akliouche (dr) fights with Montpellier’s French defender Maxime Esteve, during the Ligue 1 match on December 3, 2023 at the Stade Louis II in Monaco. / AFP
In this punchy half, Monaco also had the opportunity to double the lead. But Lecomte was good on Aleksandr Golovin’s shot (24th). And a goal from Folarin Balogun was canceled for a millimeter offside (40th).
After the break, Monaco returned more balanced. The defensive midfielder duo Camara-Zakaria better protected their defense. Before the exclusion of Kiki Kouyaté for a poorly controlled tackle on Minamino (67th), Montpellier was no longer able to worry Köhn.
The end was more chaotic for Monaco. Without impact however, since Ben Yedder definitively killed the match in added time.
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