AS Monaco scrape victory at Angers

Falcao’s 17th goal of the season in Ligue 1 was enough to secure the Red & Whites all three points at Angers and restore their lead over Nice and PSG at the top of the table.

Three days ahead of the trip to Dortmund for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, AS Monaco travelled to SCO Angers for week 32 of the Ligue 1 campaign. The objective for this first of the seven game league run-in was clear: keep the pressure on PSG and pull away from OGC Nice. At the Stade Raymond Kopa, Leonardo Jardim opted to start with Radamel Falcao for the first time since the match at Guingamp at the end of February. Dirar and Touré, more usually on the bench, were handed responsibility for Monaco’s right flank.

THANK YOU SUBA!

Despite showing plenty of commitment and carving out the first golden opportunity of the game, with Falcao unable to get a firm header on Silva’s drilled cross, the Monegasques were under the cosh for much of the first half. Toko Ekambi fashioned a string of chances down the left (16, 26, 30 and 32 mins), but it was Diedhiou who came closest to opening the scoring on 37 minutes. Jemerson missed his tackle leaving the Angers striker a clear run on goal, but Subasic showed excellent anticipation to come out and meet the danger. The Croatian ‘keeper tackled Diedhiou on the floor, before managing to get both gloves on the ball, a top class save that ensured the Red & Whites went in at half-time on terms with the scoreline goalless.

FALCAO NETS HIS 17TH OF THE SEASON IN LIGUE 1

The visitors came out for the second half with renewed determination and were soon rewarded. After Bakayoko missed a big chance, Radamel Falcao took the next one emphatically on the hour mark. Glik sent Nabil Dirar into space down the right and the Moroccan held the ball up before arrowing a perfect cross towards Falcao, who sent an unstoppable side-footed effort past Letellier for his 17th goal of this Ligue 1 campaign. 1-0 for AS Monaco.

GERMAIN NEARLY MAKES IT TWO, DIEDHIOU SPURNS CHANCE OF AN EQUALISER

The goal prompted Angers to come forward a little more, opening up more space for the visitors. First Germain and then Lemar were close to doubling AS Monaco’s lead, but both were denied by Letellier (72 mins). Five minutes from time, Mangani swung in a free-kick from close to the edge of the area and found the head of Diedhou, who nodded the ball against Subasic’s post. It rebounded into the box and the Monegasque ‘keeper was able to claim it. Angers’ chance had gone, and AS Monaco claimed a narrow victory to restore their six-point lead over Nice and PSG. The ideal preparation for Tuesday’s trip to Dortmund!

Source: www.asmonaco.com