TOPS/FLOPS – AS Monaco and RC Lens played out a 1-1 draw in the match for the third day of Ligue 1 at the Stade Louis II.
Tops
Zakaria unlucky scorer
The Monaco captain experienced an emotional roller coaster this Sunday during the draw between AS Monaco and RC Lens. He opened the scoring for his team (84th) with a furious header following a very well-taken corner by Caio Henrique. But a few minutes later, as his team were heading towards victory, he was guilty of a clumsy handball in the area, offering the equalizing penalty to Frankowski. A leader on the pitch, he nevertheless played a bossy game in the heart of the game. Without him, it’s not certain that the Monaco would have clinched this draw.
The Lensois didn’t give up
The score may seem fortunate for Lens in hindsight, but they may still have some regrets. Because, after a balanced first half, they were the most dangerous after the break. Even opening the score through Labeau-Lascary, before the referee, aided by VAR, detected a handball by the Lens striker and disallowed the goal. Five minutes later, they conceded a goal from Zakaria, against the run of play. Never resigned, Will Still’s men nevertheless went back on the attack to secure a deserved and promising draw, a few days after the European disappointment.
Flops
A lawn not up to par
After weeks of controversy over TV rights and the promotion of the French championship, Ligue 1 matches spoiled by unworthy pitches are coming one after the other. This Sunday again, the duel between Monaco and Lens was marked by the poor quality of the green rectangle of the Stade Louis II, leading to a technical waste that is unacceptable at such a level. Before complaining about the lack of subscriptions and audiences for French football, its leaders should perhaps worry about the spectacle they are offering.
Wesley Said, 45 minutes and then he leaves
The RC Lens striker went through the first half of this match like a ghost. Only making his mark on two actions. The first, a festival on the left side, punctuated by a small bridge on the Monegasque Singo and a powerful but off-target shot. The second, a missed shot alone in front of the goal on an improbable action. After Thomasson hit the post on a cross shot from the right, the ball came back to him and he crossed for Wesley Saïd. The latter, alone in front of the goal, missed his shot and in turn hit the post. A big miss… then nothing more until the break and Will Still’s decision to replace her with Labeau-Lascary.
