Angers (AFP)

Monaco returned to the wake of Paris SG by defeating a catchy Angers team (1-0) thanks to a goal from the inevitable Wissam Ben Yedder, Sunday during the 34th day of Ligue 1.

With this 14th victory in 17 league matches since January, Monaco is temporarily on the second step of the podium, one step behind the Parisians.

Less spectacular than usual, the men of Niko Kovac, still in contention in the Coupe de France, now have one point ahead of Lille and four over Lyon, who must face each other in the evening.

For the Angevins, beaten 5-0 Wednesday by PSG in the quarter-final of the Coupe de France, it is a new disillusionment.

At the end of the cycle with the announced departure of Stéphane Moulin and his staff, they have won only one victory in their last twelve matches in the league and stagnate in 12th place.

Far from their insolent success in recent months, the Monegasques have long stumbled against a well-established Angevin defense and especially a Paul Bernardoni in great shape.

The Angevin goalkeeper relaxed well on a long shot from Aurélien Tchouaméni (10th) and he came out as a boss on a free kick from Djibril Sidibé (65th).

He especially threw himself with abnegation during two difficult face-to-face, first against Stevan Jovetic (14th) then against Aleksandr Golovin, ideally launched by Wissam Ben Yedder (43rd).

Opposite, the Angevins, often clumsy and taken by the throat by an intractable defense, failed to be dangerous in attack.

- Tired -

No wonder: Angers have only scored one goal in their last six league games, while Monaco have not conceded any since early March in all competitions.

Under a light breeze, the two teams seemed tired from their efforts in the Coupe de France on Wednesday.

They were also disturbed by absences since Monaco came without Sofiane Diop, injured in an ankle, and five players positive for Covid-19, while Angers has been without its conductor Angelo Fulgini and its conductor for two weeks. several other usual holders.

In addition, in the first half hour, Monaco lost Jovetic and Angers Ibrahim Amadou, left with injury.

Saved three times by an amount Wednesday against Lyon in the Cup, the Monegasques also stumbled on the crossbar of Bernardoni on a free kick from Djibril Sidibé taken over by Guillermo Maripan (54th).

But once again, their tenacity was rewarded when Ben Yedder, thrown deep by Youssouf Fofana, lobed Bernardoni with a nose-down ball to open the scoring, causing an explosion of joy from his teammates on the pitch and on the bench ( 0-1, 79e).

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