Monaco put on a show to win the big match against Lyon
A big match between two European teams took place this Saturday evening at the Stade Louis-II. After being pegged back at the wire in Montpellier (3-2) during their last match in Ligue 1, AS Monaco hosted Olympique Lyonnais with the firm intention of emerging victorious from this massive encounter. The Rouge et Blanc started this game off in their now customary 4-2-3-1, with Gelson Martins making his 100th appearance in a Monegasque jersey, and the duo of “Yedderland” up front.
Jean Lucas on his cloud
Urged on by a boisterous atmosphere from kick-off, the Club made a thunderous start to the match. In the second minute, on a cross from Wissam Ben Yedder, Jean Lucas opened the scoring with an powerful header against his former club (1-0, 2′). It was the second goal in two matches for the Brazilian, after another last weekend in Lens in the Coupe de France (4-2).
“Captain Wissam” doubles the lead
It was only the start of a real assault on the Rhone side goal, with three successive chances from Gelson Martins (11′), Kevin Volland (13′) and Jean Lucas (15′), all denied by Anthony Lopes. And if Sofiane Diop was unlucky on a deflected shot which went just wide (21′), he was much more clinical with a ball for Wissam Ben Yedder behind the defence a few moments later.
It was a pass that the Monegasque captain was all to happy to convert with a love for the ball, scoring his 14th goal of the season in Ligue 1 (2-0, 26′) and allowing his team to head back to the locker room with a two-goal lead.
A closely fought second half
After a first half mastered from start to finish by the Monegasques, Peter Bosz decided to make three changes at the break, bringing on Cherki and new signings Faivre and Ndombele. Despite this tactical reorganization, the Lyonnais did not manage to break down ouur defensive block. And when they succeed, Alexander Nübel was quick to react, as he was against Castello Lukeba (51′).
A nice jump up the table
Comitted to the end, Philippe Clement’s men pocketed three very important points in the race for Europe and temporarily moved up to fourth place, pending the rest of this 23rd matchday. The team’s next match comes on Tuesday (9 p.m.), with another important match at the Stade Louis-II against Amiens in the quarterfinals of the Coupe de France. A third home game will follow next Sunday, at 1 p.m., with a visit from Lorient in Ligue 1. It will bring, we hope, as good a display as against OL!
Match details
Ligue 1 Uber Eats – Matchday 23
AS Monaco 2-0 Olympique Lyonnais
Halftime: 2-0
Goals: Jean Lucas (2′), Ben Yedder (26′)
Bookings: Maripán (69;) ; Dembélé (64′), Boateng (69′)
AS Monaco: Nübel – Aguilar, Disasi, Maripán, C.Henrique – Tchouameni, Jean Lucas (Matazo 79′) – Gelson Martins (Vanderson 61′), Volland (Fofana 61′), Diop (Akliouche 88′) – Ben Yedder ©
Substitutes: Mannone, Sidibé, Matsima, Jakobs, Matazo, Fofana, Vanderson, Akliouche, Lemarechal.
Manager: Philippe Clement
Lyon : Lopes – Dubois ©, Boateng, Lukeba – Gusto (Faivre 46′), Caqueret, Mendes (Ndombele 46′), Henrique (Cherki 46′, Keita 90+3′) – Paqueta (Barcola 88′), Dembélé, Emerson
Substitutes: Pollersbeck, Diomande, Ndombele, Keita, Faivre, Barcola, Cherki.
Manager: Peter Bosz
