Raging!
For the second home game of the season, Leonardo Jardim played the 4-4-2 alignment.
In front, the Ben Yedder / Slimani duo was supported by Onyekuru and Martins on the wings, while Adrien Silva and Golovin sat in the middle. In defense, it was Jemerson who replaces Aguilar, suspended after his expulsion against Metz. The beginning of the game is back-and-forth between each side. After a 15 minutes, Philippoteaux breaches the Monegasque defense and finds the first Nîmes opportunity on a cross (16′). In spite of this, the Red and White take the momentum of the game. Golovin touches a lot of passes and manages to arm a shot to the right, parried by Bernardoni (19′). It takes half an hour to see the scoring opened.
Slimani and Ben Yedder open their accounts
After a magnificent action orchestrated by Ben Yedder, the Frenchman launched Onyekuru forward, who put himself on his left foot but missed the frame. In the wake, the Crocos respond with a Phillipoteaux attempt off the bar (30′). Then it was Gelson who was fed ahead by Slimani. He eliminated the defender and the goalkeeper before looking for Ben Yedder, who saw his shot repelled by Landre in front of the goal line (33′)! It was finally Slimani who opened the scoring in the 39th minute on his first opportunity. Off of a run by Golovin which relied heavily on Onyekuru, the Nigerian striker found Slimani who beat the defense and crossed his shot against Bernardoni (40′). Galvanized by the opening goal, the Red and White doubled down with a goal by Ben Yedder just before the break. Once again, Golovin and Ben Yedder played off of one another. The latter found Martins at the penalty spot, and while Bernardoni pushed back, Ben Yedder emerged open near the goal.
Jemerson expelled
At the break AS Monaco lead 2-0 and, with its first success of the season in view. However, a decision by Mr. Delerue will change everything. At the 53rd minute, Jemerson tackled Philippoteaux from the side and picks up a warning. Mr. Delerue decides to consult VAR and decides to expel the Brazilian defender in front of an incredulous crowd.
The challenge did not seem to warrant anything more than a yellow. For the third time in as many games, AS Monaco goes a man down, with Nimes hoping to prey on the advantage. Ferhat challenged the goal at the hour mark, but Lecomte makes a save to ward off the danger for the moment.
For the third consecutive match with ten players on the pitch, Nimes soon demonstrated their superiority with a goal from Philippoteaux, in the 70th minute.
Cruel ending
The Red and White were unstoppable and sharp on the attack in the last 15 minues, even after Ben Yedder had to be “sacrificed” to the bench and replaced by Dias under the circumstances of the red card. Once again, Golovin led the attack. On his left side, Ballo-Toure took advantage of the slightest space, but Bernardoni intercepts one of his crosses leading to a fatal breakout. Just having come on, Denkey is at the end of the break and equalizes in the 81st minute, despite les Monegasques dominating the end of the game. Disappointed by the turn of events, Glik and his team did not let go and still secure a point despite the frustrating turn of events.
The next match comes Sunday, September 1 in Strasbourg on the fourth day of Ligue 1.
