Monaco 1-0 Brest
To continue after Wednesday’s success at Auxerre (3-2), Monaco coach Philippe Clément chose to start the revelation Eliesse Ben Seghir (17), author of a double at L’Abbé-Deschamps, and change seven players in total against Brest with the returns of the two vice-world champions Disasi and Fofana.
The Brestois experienced a first scare in the first quarter of an hour with a post from Monegasque Camara (12th) then before seeing their teammate Del Castillo come out injured (13th). Then came the show of the Breton goalkeeper Bizot – and his two remarkable saves on two powerful headers from Diatta (32nd and 36th) – before that of Ben Seghir who lacked the lucidity to frame his shot after a roulette in the heart of the surface ( 45th+3).
But it will be necessary to wait until the return of the locker room to see the nets tremble on a missile released from outside the area by the Russian Golovin (54th), his fourth but of the season for ASM. An advantage saved four minutes later by a reflex stoppage of both fists from Nübel on a header from Le Douaron. The German goalkeeper was then saved by his bar on an attempt by Mounié (84th).
Monaco, which has scored in its last 15 home games in Ligue 1 (29 goals) – only Paris (19) is on a better streak – temporarily climbs to fourth place. Brest remains 17th.
Enzo Le Fée scored the winning goal for Lorient at Angers on Sunday (2-1). (Jean-Francois Monier/AFP)
Angers 1-2 Lorient
Angers have not gleaned a single point in Ligue 1 for nine games. This Sunday, the SCO once again lost in the Championship, this time against Lorient (1-2). The Angevins had however attacked 2023 as needed for a red lantern, opening the scoring quickly against Lorient (7th at kick-off) thanks to an uncrossed header from the Senegalese international Sima on a corner (10th). And rather well defended, the four-man defense reinstated by interim coach Abdel Bouhazama allowing them to maintain the advantage at the break when they had only led 68 minutes in Ligue 1 this season, including only 21 at residence…
But in the second half, Sima was this time the unfortunate hero since, on a corner taken by Le Fée, the Angevin deceived his goalkeeper Bernardoni with a header (79th). Bentaleb replied the next minute but his powerful shot from the left failed on the bar of Mannone’s goal. The Fairy did it again eight minutes later, but this time without anyone’s help, except for this beautiful withdrawal from Doucouré before his light strike in the top corner.
With this last victory, Lorient, which had not won any of its six Ligue 1 games, is back in 6th place, up to Rennes (5th). Angers is more than ever last.
Nantes 1-0 Auxerre
It was from the stands that Antoine Kombouaré witnessed this bottom-of-the-table meeting between his Nantes (16th) and Auxerre (18th) and the first alert signed by the Burgundian defender Jeanvier on a corner (27th). Six minutes later, Ganago’s deflected pivot shot included the bar of Costil (33rd) who then intervened against a good attempt from Blas (43rd) and was happy to be saved on the following corner by more prompt Mensah than Simon.
In the second half, and while Nantes was in difficulty, Coco, who came on ten minutes earlier, opened the scoring following a pass, on a touch of the ball, from Ganago in depth (74th) for his first goal in the Championship . With this victory, Nantes breathes a little and is now 14th while Auxerre, which has not won any of its last seven trips to Ligue 1 (1 draw, 5 defeats), remains 18th.
Toulouse 2-0 Ajaccio
To recover from Thursday’s slap at the Vélodrome (1-6), TFC coach (13th) Philippe Montanier chose to start the Japanese Ado Onaiwu for the first time against Ajacciens (15th) fresh out of the red zone against Angers (1-0). False joy for Toulouse from the 11th minute, with this goal from Chaibi (cross shot from a closed angle) canceled by the VAR for a prior fault by Ratao. False and only joy during a first period without relief.
But on the restart, and while the Auxerrois were rather apathetic, Ratao redeemed himself and scored his fourth goal of the season with a rolled right foot in the area, well served by the subtle Dejaegere (47th). Exchange of good practices a quarter of an hour later with a well-adjusted center by Ratao and a volley from Dejaegere at the far post (62nd). With this success (2-0), the TFC climbed to 12th place, the Corsicans slipped to 16th.