The Monegasques have clearly not digested the slap received eight days ago at the Bollaert stadium against Lens (3-0), their competitor for qualification in the Champions League.
Without reaction and apathetic, the club of the Rock comes out with one more humiliation at home against Montpellier, one of the teams in form of the moment.
A double from Arnaud Nordin, a goal from Faitout Maouassa and a goal from Stephy Mavididi extinguished the hopes of Monaco, which remains fourth but risks losing ground on Marseille (2nd) and Lens (3rd).
OM host Auxerre in the evening (20:45) and could take nine points ahead of ASM, while Lens, who are one point behind Marseille, travel to Toulouse on Tuesday (21:00).
"We have to look in the mirror after this game. We have to go back to the basics: find structure, aggressiveness and work without the ball. It's up to us to bounce back and prove that we deserve (Europe, editor's note)," said coach Philippe Clement, aware that Monaco (4th, 61 points) is now under threat from Lille (5th, 59 pts), winner Saturday against Ajaccio (3-0).
Before Paris SG-Lorient (17:05 this Sunday) and Brest-Nantes Wednesday (21:00), Ligue 1 has officially experienced its first relegation and it is Angers, red lantern of the Championship since the 12th day.
Ibrahima Niane (r), scorer for Angers in Rennes, could not avoid the defeat of his team, relegated to Ligue 2, on April 30, 2023 at Roazhon Park © JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
A 25th defeat this season, in Rennes (4-2), formalized a news that was hardly in doubt for the SCO, after eight seasons in the elite.
Overwhelmed by extra-sporting affairs and in distress on the field, the Angevin team is 18 points behind Nantes, Brest and Strasbourg, who are currently fighting for the place of first non-relegation. A delay impossible to fill, with five more matches on the calendar.
With its victory, Rennes finds itself 6th, sandwiched between Lille and Lyon, winner Friday in Strasbourg (2-1). Clermont and Nice, victorious Sunday respectively against Reims (1-0) and Troyes (1-0), complete this top of the table, in 8th and 9th place. The Auvergnats have chained a fifth success in a row.
© 2023 AFP