AS Monaco avoids the trap at Saint-Etienne (3-1)

And ASM did very well to win, considering the victories of Nice against Reims (1-0) on Friday evening and, a little earlier in the day, Strasbourg against a PSG who are only thinking about the Champions League (2-1).

Biereth leaves quickly with injury

In a very lively first half, where Adi Hütter decided to start Balogun in attack alongside Biereth and to start Teze on the right flank in place of Vanderson, ASM were not sovereign against the Greens who were enterprising in attack but far too clumsy in finishing.

Akliouche's goal, from close range, following Henrique's excellent pass at the start of the match (0-1, 2') had nevertheless put the Red and Whites on the right track. And they could have even doubled the lead if it hadn't been for a superb save from Larsonneur in front of Akliouche (29').

This was after losing their top scorer Biereth, who suffered a hip injury in a collision and had to be replaced by Embolo (15').

A quick reaction

After the break, the match resumed on the same lines. And, while he had been clumsy several times, Davitashvili, from 20 meters, found the top corner of Köhn's net with a curling shot (1-1, 65').

Fortunately, Monaco reacted immediately and El-Musrati, who had just come on, gave his team the lead again with a shot from the inside of his right foot from 25m which surprised Larsonneur (1-2, 68').

Balogun then took advantage of a caviar from Akliouche following a poor clearance from Saint-Etienne to break away (1-3, 78').

AS Monaco could finally breathe a sigh of relief, even if they had to finish with ten men, with Al-Musrati, injured, having to leave his teammates behind after all the changes had already been made.

Thanks to these three very valuable points, Zakaria's partners take back 2nd place from Olympique de Marseille thanks to a better goal average (58 points each, +24 against +23) before the Lille - OM on Sunday evening.

Nice and Strasbourg are one point apart, Lille two, and Lyon, who host Lens on Sunday, four. ASM will host Lyon next Saturday for the penultimate matchday in a contest that will be very costly.