AS Monaco came from behind to salvage a point against Lille (1-1) at the Stade Louis II on Sunday. Filipe Luís’ side are now winless in their last three league games.
If the win over Freiburg on Thursday (3-0) was composed and controlled, a win over Lille OSC would have been cathartic but flawed. Ultimately, they had to settle for just the point, despite dominating the second half. The feeling, despite coming from behind, was one of dejection at the full-time whistle at the Stade Louis II.
Superficially, it isn’t the worst result for the Principality club. Lille came into the gameweek level on points with Monaco; last season, they finished inside the top three; and Davide Ancelotti’s side came into the game more rested, having played their European fixture on Wednesday.
Camara and Brunner below their standards
Monaco have made a habit of starting strong and fading this season. The trend was inverted against Les Dogues. Neither side forced the issue in the first half, and ultimately Lille didn’t have to in order to open the scoring. Lamine Camara lapped up praise from Luís on Thursday night but was at fault as he presented too much of the ball to Soriba Diaoune. Having lost it in a dangerous zone, Les Monégasques weren’t set up to prevent a simple ball into Ethan Mbappé, who needed just one touch to beat Lukas Hradecky from close range.
The Principality club were a blunt attacking instrument and weren’t aided by the premature exit of Ansu Fati, who is struggling to rewrite his narrative. Often pivotal when he is on the pitch, the issue is keeping him on it. Given back-to-back starts in Ligue 1, his body betrayed him, the Spaniard withdrawn with an apparent muscular injury just 15 minutes in.
Another game of two halves for Monaco
Monaco were feeling charitable and provided the only other clear opportunity of the first half. Vanderson fed Nathan Ngoy, up from defence, but his effort was too close to Hradecky, who this time made the save.
Hradecky’s opposite number, Berke Ozer, was finally tested seconds after the break. His save from Aleksandr Golovin’s free-kick was theatrical but relatively simple. But as was the case in Lorient a week earlier, there was at least intent shown by the Principality club upon their return from the dressing room.
The Russia international could have tested Ozer again if not for a tackle in extremis from Alexsandro. And the Turkish goalkeeper should not only have been tested but beaten by Paris Brunner. The German has been clinical this season, but presented with an open goal, just yards out, he blazed over. Monaco, however, were beginning to purr, and Tanguy Nianzou’s red card seconds later provided further cause for optimism of a Monégasque revival.
Nianzou’s recklessness hands Monaco the advantage
Brunner was struggling to hit his heights. Failure to control a dinked ball over the top saw another chance go begging. He then couldn’t get a touch on Edan Diop’s inswinging ball. As it transpired, however, he didn’t have to. The German’s diversion was enough for Ozer to be fooled. He didn’t make the dive and saw the ball nestle into the side of his net.
The siege on the Lille goal was inevitable. Monaco had possession, had shots, too, but failed to test Ozer. Brunner’s off day continued. Folarin Balogun was waiting in the wings, but his services weren’t solicited until stoppage time. He didn’t have time to get into the game; Monaco, pushing and threatening until the end, didn’t have time to find a winner against a tiring LOSC.
Post-match, Filipe Luís spoke about dropping two points, an indication of how Monaco completely dominated the second half at the Stade Louis II. “Our first half wasn’t at the level,” added the Monaco manager. Whilst the win over Freiburg held great promise, Les Monégasques are yet to piece together a full 90 minutes in Ligue 1.
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Photo source: AS Monaco