The Rock regains its solidity. AS Monaco secured a second straight victory in Ligue 1, a week after winning the derby in Nice. This is the third success in a week after that of Thursday in the Europa League in Belgrade. A big piece was however on the menu for the Monegasques on this Sunday, September 11, at the end of the 7th day of Ligue 1: Olympique Lyonnais.
At the end of a lively and balanced match between these two contenders for the podium, it was the players from the Principality who took the upper hand (2-1), thanks to their efficiency on set pieces. Badiashile, from a corner, then Maripan, from a free kick, indeed allowed AS Monaco to take the lead, before staying the course despite the reduction in Lyon’s score by Toko Ekambi. ASM thus won its first victory of the season at home.
One of the charms of football is that the result does not always reflect the match. This Monaco-Lyon was further proof of that. Because if we trust the chances, and the game developed, it was undoubtedly Peter Bosz’s OL who deserved to win on Sunday evening. With 18 shots to eleven, and possession of the ball clearly in their favor, the Gones were not unworthy. But they fell on an impassable Rock.
On his line, the German goalkeeper Alexander Nübel confirmed his return to form, showing himself to be imperturbable on many Lyon attempts. In front of him, Axel Disasi, Guillermo Maripan and Benoît Badiashile made life difficult for Alexandre Lacazette, long deprived of space and support. They only cracked once, on a cross from Cherki – author of a remarkable entry into play – taken over by Toko Ekambi (2-1, 82nd).
L’@OL dominated but it’s the@AS_Monaco who wins! #ASMOL pic.twitter.com/CfRh3mBfNV
— Ligue 1 Uber Eats (@Ligue1UberEats) September 11, 2022
Nothing too serious, since before that, the Monegasque defenders had also taken care of putting ASM to safety. Benoit Badiashile first took advantage of a corner kicked by Caio Henrique to open the scoring, with a header, as OL increased the pressure (1-0, 56′). A few minutes later, Guillermo Maripan imitated him on a free kick deposited by the same Caio Henrique (2-0, 63rd).
“We have been working a lot on set pieces since the start of the season, we have had good results”, also appreciated the Chilean defender after the meeting, at the microphone of Prime Video. What the Lyonnais had however noticed, as revealed a few seconds before him Alexandre Lacazette: “We knew they were dangerous from set pieces, we also know that it’s our weak point. It’s a shame, we were good in the game. We could have done better. I’m sorry for the fans.”
The “general” from Lyon and his troops nevertheless fought valiantly in the Principality. But their multiple attempts have proven imprecise, sometimes harmless. And the siege of Nübel’s goal at the end of the match made Monaco tremble, without crumbling the Rock. After their defeat in the week on the lawn of Lorient, the Lyonnais skate and let OM, PSG and Lens fly away. Monaco returns within firing range of European places. Something to make Maripan smile: “We had a good week, we hope to spend many like that…”