Monaco’s 12-game unbeaten run has come to an end with the shock loss to Strasbourg Alsace on Wednesday.
Niko Kovac’s side endured an off night at the Stade de la Meinau, punished by the hosts who scored the only goal of the game in the first minute of added time at the end of the game.
Frédéric Guilbert, the on-loan Aston Villa full-back, was the hero, as he advanced towards the penalty box before letting fly from 20 metres, his low left-foot strike beating goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte and finding the bottom corner. The result gives Strasbourg breathing space at the foot of the table and leaves Monaco still fourth but now seven points behind Lille.
It was the team’s first loss since mid-December.
“We have played very well over the past two months, and we have had some great results,” said Coach Kovac after the game. “I’m not changing my mind, we are not armed to win the title this year. We’ll move on and we will concentrate on securing fourth place.”
The next game for Wissam Ben Yedder and his teammates comes on Monday with the third derby of the season, in the Coupe de France at the Allianz Riviera.