The Roca Team bounced back from a playoffs defeat at the hands of Fenerbahçe Beko with a return to form in the rivals’ second game. AS Monaco were not as lucky, however, losing to Olympique Lyonnais in a tight Ligue 1 match. 

Both of AS Monaco Basket’s EuroLeague playoff games against Fenerbahçe Beko played out at the Salle Gaston Médecin. 

The home side lost out on Wednesday 24th April, with the final scores reading 91-95, but Saša Obradović’s players rallied in time for the second game on Friday 26th April, emerging 93-88. 

The Roca Team’s Jordan Loyd commented, “It’s at this time of the year that everything gets difficult… There’s another battle to be fought, and this time we’re going to go for it.” 

Meanwhile, his teammate Jaron Blossomgame said, “We’ve found our rhythm. It’s a very good way to approach the upcoming series against Fenerbahçe, which will be a great battle.” 

Now that the series has been tied 1-1, AS Monaco will be heading to Istanbul for a face-off with the Turkish team on Wednesday 1st May before a showdown on Friday 3rd May. Should AS Monaco Basket prove victorious, they will have secured their spot in the EuroLeague’s Final Four. 

It was a different story, however, for the AS Monaco football side, who narrowly lost out to Olympique Lyonnais at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday 28th April. 

AS Monaco started on the right foot, taking charge with a goal from Wissam Ben Yedder that came just 22 seconds after the game began.  

More on-target attempts came, but one was disallowed after Folarin Balogun was found to be offside. Youssouf Fofana tried too, but the goalkeeper managed to keep the ball out – only just – before Alexandre Lacazette came through for the home side with a first goal for Olympique Lyonnais minutes later. Saïd Benrahma then took the Lyon side up to 2-1 before halftime.

 

Once back on the pitch, Ben Yedder levelled the playing field with another goal in the 61st minute, but it wasn’t enough. Olympique Lyonnais took the win after a 84th minute goal from Malick Fofana. The game ended 3-2. 

“I think we were too passive and gave them the chance to come back,” shared Adi Hütter, AS Monaco’s coach, post-match.  

AS Monaco’s next Ligue 1 match, a home game, will see Les Rouges et Blancs take on Clermont Foot 63 on Saturday 4th May.  

“We want to be a Champions League-level team, so we have to win,” said Hütter of the upcoming fixture.  

 

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Photo credit: AS Monaco Basket