Nantes (AFP)

AS Monaco, solid and focused, continued its recovery operation by beating FC Nantes (1-0) on Friday, with a goal from Wissam Ben Yedder, his 9th this season, opening the 11th day of the League 1.

Nantes was undefeated at home and Lafont had not conceded a goal this season at La Beaujoire. It took only twenty minutes to Monaco to force the lock: Golovin launched Ben Yedder full axis, which was played by Fabio and Pallois then shot Lafont (22).

A misfortune never arriving alone, Fabio injured remained on the ground then left, replaced by Moutoussamy. The men of Jardim then managed their advantage, leaving Nantes organize attacks on the sides, thanks to Bamba and Simon.

There had already been a goal ball for Nantes, a lob missed Coulibaly (13th) that should have allowed the Canaries to build confidence in the worst defense of the championship (21 goals conceded against 6 for Nantes).

Just after Ben Yedder's goal, Simon's head went just over (25th). Before returning to the locker room, a header from Coulibaly forced Lecomte out a fantastic parade (45 + 2). That's all.

The territorial dominance of the Nantais has continued a bit of recovery, but Monaco remained dangerous against thanks to his tandem Ben Yedder-Slimani, well fed hot balloons by an inspired Golovin.

- Offensive too predictable -

An acrobatic recovery of Coulibaly found the pole of Lecomte (50th), then the same Lecomte again spread the danger with the fingertips on an attempt framed by Bamba (51st).

The Monegasques reacted by scoring their second goal of the evening (59th) ... refused for a preliminary offside Slimani, after consulting the VAR. With always Ben Yedder at the finish, as when another goal refused in the first period.

The enthusiasm has subsided, Nantes finding no solution in the axis because of a Blas too slow and a Coulibaly too alone, and having to bet on centers of Bamba and Simon. What allow the defense of the Rock, often criticized for its heaviness and slowness, to face too predictable offensives.

A shot from Gelson Martins (65) sent a shudder through the Beaujoire, but Lafont was well placed. Then Monaco has squarely taken the game in his face against less precise Nantes, less fast, and Lafont had to go out of the way on his surface to counter Slimani (71).

The last quarter of an hour had often succeeded in the Canaries this season. Again, there was an exception to the rule: no pace, no imagination, no shot framed until a nice raid of young Youan concluded with a shot repulsed from the foot by Lecomte (90).

Not really enough to stop the "remontada" of Monaco: Ben Yedder, Slimani and company are eighth in the L1. Temporarily.

© 2019 AFP