Admittedly, Monaco dominated 99% of the match.

Admittedly, Monaco scored a fine goal through Wissam Ben Yedder, in pivot, well served by Sofiane Diop (1-0, 55th).

But this 15th goal of the season from the top scorer in L1 was not enough.

The joy of Monegasque striker Wissam Ben Yedder, after opening the scoring at home against Reims, during the 26th day of Ligue 1, February 27, 2022 at the Stade Louis II Valery HACHE AFP

Because once again, Monaco did not manage to take shelter.

Ben Yedder (58th) and Jean Lucas (67th and 82nd) ​​were unable to score the second goal.

And inevitably, the team of Philippe Clement was countered.

First, Kevin Volland deflected a free kick from the head against his side (1-1, 84th).

Then, at the very end of the game, the substitute Nathanaël Mbuku, who had already obtained two great opportunities, did not miss the third to give the victory to his team (1-2, 90th+3).

The joy of Reims striker Nathanaël Mbuku, after scoring, in added time, the winning goal, 2-1 against Monaco, during the 26th day of Ligue 1, February 27, 2022 at the Stade Louis II Valery AX AFP

This goal allows Reims, 31 points, to see the future with a certain serenity.

On the other hand, it almost condemns Monaco, 38 points 8 points from the podium, in its quest for the Champions League next season.

Delayed kick-off

This match was also marked by a "symbolic" action: the delay of its kick-off, on the initiative of the Reims club, to protest against Russian "acts of war" in Ukraine, according to the president of the club, Jean -Pierre Caillot.

The president of Reims Jean-Pierre Caillot, before the home match of the 2nd day of Ligue 1 against Lyon, August 17, 2018 at the Stade Auguste-Delaune FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI AFP / Archives

Even if the president of Reims indicated before the meeting that he had no desire to make Monaco "uncomfortable", the fact remains that the Principality's club has been chaired since January 2013 by the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev.

For the occasion, Prince Albert also displayed his presence.

Like last Friday when Monaco won against Fenerbahçe Istanbul in Euroleague basketball, he was accompanied by his two children, Jacques and Gabriella.

Prince Albert II of Monaco chats with the vice-president and general manager of the club, the Russian Oleg Petrov, before the start of the match of the 26th day of Ligue 1 against Reims, on February 27, 2022 at the Stade Louis II Valery HACHE AFP

On Friday, the management of the Monegasque basketball club - Aleksej Fedoricsev, the club's new Russian president, and the Ukrainian Sergeï Dyadechko, vice-president and former president of the club - sat alongside them.

This time, it was Oleg Petrov, the Russian vice-president and general manager of the Monegasque club, who was invited to the princely stand.

Despite the princely presence, Monaco has therefore chained a new poor performance.

It falls at the worst time, because Monaco travels to Nantes in the semi-final of the Coupe de France on Wednesday, before going to Marseille on Sunday...

© 2022 AFP