Race to Europe: Monaco's good shot
The Monegasques have chained a fifth success in a row over the past month with, again, a "big" of the championship hanging on their table.
After Paris SG and Rennes, Nice suffered the law of Wissam Ben Yedder's partners.
Russian striker Aleksandr Golovin, already a scorer in the first leg, exploited a center from Vanderson repelled by Walter Benitez (45th + 2) to make the difference just before half-time.
The joy of the Monegasques, after the opening of the scoring by Russian midfielder Aleksandr Golovin (2nd g), against Nice, during the 33rd day of Ligue 1, April 20, 2022 at the Stade Louis II Valery HACHE AFP
This minimalist victory is enough for the happiness of Monaco which doubles Nice in the standings and is assured, regardless of the result to come between Strasbourg and Rennes, of occupying its best place of the season at the end of the 33rd day.
The podium objective has lead in the wing on the other hand on the side of the Nice Aiglons who, before their narrow 2-1 victory against Lorient on Sunday, remained on four matches without a win.
Nice coach Christophe Galtier, during the 1-0 defeat against Monaco, during the 33rd day of Ligue 1, April 20, 2022 at the Stade Louis II Valery HACHE AFP
In the evening, Marseille will try to consolidate its second place on the occasion of the reception of FC Nantes.
Conversely, a poor performance by OM could allow Paris SG to officially win the French championship.
Before the meeting, Jorge Sampaoli's men had a three-point lead over Rennes and six over Strasbourg, two teams which are facing each other at the same time in Alsace.
Lens and Lyon, who follow each other in the standings, have two important meetings on their side if they want to keep a chance of grabbing a European place: the Sang et or host Montpellier, OL travel to Brest.
Fight for maintenance: Bordeaux cracks again
For Bordeaux, the 2-2 draw at home against Saint-Etienne has a bitter taste, even a taste of defeat.
The disappointment of the Bordelais, after conceding the draw (2-2) at home against Saint-Etienne, during the 33rd day of Ligue 1, April 20, 2022 at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium ROMAIN PERROCHEAU AFP
The Girondins had paved the way for a more than precious success in the quest to maintain, thanks to Sékou Mara (16th, 1-0) and Jean Onana (23rd, 2-0), but the Greens caught up with Denis Bouanga (34th, 2-1) - his 5th goal in 8 matches - and Arnaud Nordin (65th, 2-2).
Stéphanois striker Arnaud Nordin equalizes (2-2) against Bordeaux, during the 33rd day of Ligue 1, April 20, 2022 at Matmut Atlantique Stadium ROMAIN PERROCHEAU AFP
Above all, they thought they had pocketed their sixth victory of the season with a goal from Dean Jimmy Briand (36) scored in the 89th minute.
But the video assistance detected an offside and sealed the atmosphere of the Matmut Atlantique.
Bordeaux remains penultimate with four points behind Saint-Etienne, now in a play-off position and which is advancing towards three next complicated meetings (against Monaco, Rennes and Nice).
The Metz red lantern also had a sad evening, beaten 1-0 in Lorient with a goal scored in added time by Dango Ouattara (90th + 6).
The VAR was also activated, but the realization of the Burkinabé was validated.
The joy of Burkinabe striker from Lorient Dango Ouattara, after scoring the only goal in added time against Metz, during the 33rd day of Ligue 1, April 20, 2022 at the Stade du Moustoir Sebastien SALOM-GOMIS AFP
For the people of Lorraine, the maintenance operation seems to be compromised.
The first non-relegation player, Clermont, has an eight-point lead five days from the end.
The Auvergnats won 1-0 in Troyes, also in the last moments of the match, thanks to Mohamed Bayo (88th).
The locals demanded a penalty in added time, without obtaining it, which provoked the fury of some of their supporters.
Projectiles were thrown at Clermont goalkeeper Ouparine Djoco.
The fate of the match also tipped on the gong in Reims, Lille 2-1 winner with a liberating goal from their captain Yunis Abdelhamid in the 92nd minute.
The joy of the Tunisian captain and defender of Reims Yunis Abdelhamid, after scoring the winning goal, 2-1 against Lille, during the 33rd day of Ligue 1, April 20, 2022 at the Auguste-Delaune Stadium DENIS CHARLET AFP
The maintenance seems assured for the team of Oscar Garcia, twelfth.
LOSC, reigning French champions, are ninth.
© 2022 AFP