Jean Canesse, Media365, published on Friday November 1, 2024 at 9:22 p.m.
Defeated by Nice during the derby, Monaco fell again, this time at Louis-II against Angers (0-1). PSG could take a 6-point lead over the princely club if they succeed against Lens on Saturday (9 p.m.).
“You will really have to give of yourself, for the team, in order to hope for something there.” Alexandre Dujeux was not really wrong, this week at a press conference, as to the ingredients necessary to thwart Monaco. Friday evening, his team visibly respected most of its instructions, also benefiting, it must be said, from the complete non-match of the Monegasques at Louis-II.
Deprived of captain Zakaria, striker Balogun and defenders Vanderson, Teze and Salisu, Adi Hütter opted for a strong choice against Angers: shift Minamino to the left and try a centre-forward duo Embolo – Ilenikhena in a 4 -4-2 flat. A choice which absolutely did not bear fruit since the ASM was never able to find a binder, with a gaping hole in the axis, causing a rapid change of course. Ilenikhena, 4 balls touched in 51 minutes (the duration of the first act) gave way to Ben Seghir from the restart while Angers was already in front at that moment.
The Jewel of Aholou
Staggered at the entrance to the surface by Allevinah, it was a veteran of the house who hurt ASM, in this case Aholou, with a strike from 23 meters into the top corner (0-1, 29th) . Far from being a twist of fate, the achievement on the contrary confirmed the exemplary attitude of the Angevins, intense in pressing and daring in their positioning on the field. “We know that we have won a lot of matches thanks to the intensity this season and today, we are not there,” confirmed the Monegasque Embolo at the microphone of DAZN at the break. A very unfortunate attacker in the second half during his team's slight recovery in form.
Found in turn by Henrique then Minamino in the open area, the Swiss striker first came up against Fofana (69th) before shooting wide of the target (75th). Unable to obtain a third opportunity in this meeting, ASM therefore suffered its second defeat in five days, after that in Nice (2-1) on Sunday, even though it had not lost in competition for six months before that (14 matches). This setback could also be very costly in the title race since Paris, already three points ahead last weekend, could have a six-point lead in the event of a victory against Lens this Saturday. Conversely, Angers is on cloud nine with this new success, the second of the season after that acquired against Saint-Etienne (4-2) during the previous day, which allows it for the moment to count three points ahead of the red zone. Enough to breathe a little while the next club to welcome is none other than PSG, in eight days.
