Monaco (AFP)

Monaco logically defeated the ogre Villeurbanne at home (79-59) and captured first place in the Jeep Elite on Sunday, the 17th day of the regular season.

Thanks to this victory, based on a high-flying defense combined with an awkwardness from Asvel chronic free throws, as behind the line, the Roca Team won the physical challenge.

Since November 17, 2018, Sasa Obradovic's men have now won 25 consecutive league victories, including play-offs, in their Gaston-Médecin room.

They, who also qualified for the Top 16 of EuroCup (early Wednesday in Monaco against Galatasaray) look at Asvel, 11th in Euroleague, in the eyes.

After a very controlled first quarter on the defensive level, during which ASVEL could only register 12 points, the Roca Team continued its work of physical undermining until the break.

With a good Dee Bost, and Norris Cole, of a Euroleague level, authors of 10 and 15 points respectively at halftime, Monaco has gradually nibbled its lead. To achieve an amazing but logical +15 (41-26) at halftime.

Opposite, the Asvel has long seemed dull. Defeats in the Euroleague at home against Real Madrid (77-97) Friday, the men of TJ Parker, who, once again, had to replace his coach Zvevdan Mitrovic, flu, were particularly awkward at long distance (1/10) .

If Charles Kahudi and Tonye Jekiri have, at times, managed to control the Monegasque power, the pivot Eric Buckner planted two dunks (28-16 and 30-16), which even caused Prince Albert to rise.

Because the Gaston-Médecin room was + The place to be + in the Principality on Sunday with the presence of the Ferrari F1 driver, Charles Leclerc, among the 3,000 spectators.

After the break, nothing was easier for the Roca Team and from the start of the last quarter, the Asvel machine scored a 6-1 that shook the French Riviera collective (61-54). This is where the Monaco coach came in. The Serbian Sasa Obradovic does not like when his team defends badly: Monaco tightened the screw and Villeurbanne collapsed after a three points from Clemmons, to finish at 20 points (79-59).

© 2020 AFP