Thanks to the 7th goal in L1 this season by Wissam Ben Yedder, Monegasque savior after being once again off the bench, the Principality's players limited the damage after being led 2-0 and shaken by a very good Jonathan David, author of a double.

However, if the meeting was of quality and, before their European meetings, against Salzburg in C1 Tuesday for Lille and Real Sociedad in C3 Thursday for Monaco, neither of the two formations can be satisfied with a point.

Monaco, with 19 points (two in three days), and Lille, with 17 points (three in 5 days), will lose further ground on the teams aiming for a place in the Champions League next season.

Coaches Niko Kovac and Jocelyn Gourvennec will therefore have the obligation to make up for these lost points respectively against Strasbourg (Sunday) and Nantes (Saturday) during the 15th day.

In the meantime, the first forty minutes have been a nightmare for captain Axel Disasi and his teammates.

Caught by very aggressive Lille, the Monegasques, despite being a national holiday, were quickly cornered on their goal.

Jonathan David opens the scoring on penalty for Lille against AS Monaco to Louis II, November 19, 2021 Valery HACHE AFP

Serbian international center-back Strahinja Pavlovic had to throw himself at Xeka's feet in an attempt to counter his strike.

Result: penalty and warning for the Serbian.

Very good Diop

Just back from Canada, Jonathan David did not hesitate to score his 9th goal of the season (0-1, 5th).

Confused, the Monegasques were again very quickly surprised.

Full axis, on a long opening of Djalo, David, untenable, let go of his opponents to register his 10th goal in L1, between the legs of Alexander Nübel (0-2, 9th).

Totally knocked out standing, Kovac's men then passed several times close to the correctional.

But Nübel was excellent in two one-on-one, ahead of Jonathan Ikoné (12th) and David (39th).

These two exploits kept Monaco alive.

Especially since the Red and White had started to try some offensives (Boadu, 21st and 29th).

And just before the break, Krepin Diatta gave his family some hope after a victorious strike from the left at the near post which deceived Ivo Grbic (1-2, 41st).

If the Senegalese, affected at the end of the half, had to give way to Gelson Martins at the break, the Monegasques continued to push.

Senegalese winger from Monaco Krepin Diatta has just reduced the score against Lille at the Louis II stadium, on November 19, 2021 Valery HACHE AFP

Coached by a very good Sofiane Diop, blaster and accelerator, Monaco has created some opportunities.

First, Djalo saved on his line after a cunning gesture from Kevin Volland (49th).

Then, in turn, Martins (55th), Disasi (66th), Volland (74th) and Aurélien Tchouameni (76th) tried it out.

Until Wissam Ben Yedder, who had just entered the game instead of a very disappointing Myron Boadu (72nd), took matters into his own hands.

Served by Volland, the international has, with a good recovery, beaten Grbic, still powerless on his closed side (2-2, 83rd), and allowed Monaco not to lose.

© 2021 AFP