Recap: Angers win second straight to stun Monaco
Match Reports
After enduring a lengthy winless run to start the season, Angers SCO finally broke their duck last weekend against relegation rivals AS Saint-Étienne. Out of the relegation zone in Ligue 1 McDonald's on the back of that result, they kept their momentum going at the Stade Louis-II on Friday evening with a shock 1-0 win over AS Monaco, moving three points clear of the drop in the process.
A moment of opportunity
From the off, the match was played with a great deal of tension, but both sides struggled to create much in the way of clear-cut chances. Each team boasted an in-form striker -- Ibrahima Niane for Angers and Breel Embolo for the hosts, but neither could break the deadlock early doors. Monaco had slightly the better of things, forcing their opponents to defend several corners, but their dominance went unrewarded, allowing Alexandre Dujeux's side to take the lead just before the half hour.
Played back on the edge of the area by Jim Allevinah, Jean-Eudes Aholou cleverly found the top corner against his former side, leaving Radoslaw Majecki no chance. The hosts were eager to respond, with both fullbacks -- Caio Henrique and Krépin Diatta both getting forward with aplomb, but to no avail.
WHAT A GOAL BY AHOLOU AGAINST MONACO! 🔥🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/kBfIwMny6m
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 1, 2024
Monaco respond, but Fofana impresses
At the break, Monaco manager Adi Hütter rang the changes, bringing on Eliesse Ben Seghir to replace George Ilenikhena, and his adjustments were quick to put Angers under the cosh, with chances coming quickly for Wilfried Singo and Embolo, as well as Maghnes Akliouche. However, in the second half as in the first, the Principality side's efforts were for nought, with Yahia Fofana keeping the hosts at bay.
Angers may have ridden their luck at times, but come full time, and without any other chances of which to speak, save an effort from range by Esteban LePaul, they had a deserved win, one which allows them to move provisionally clear of the relegation scrap ahead of hosting PSG next weekend. As for Les Monégasques, they're next in action in the Champions League away to Bologna on Tuesday, before returning to league action away to Strasbourg on Saturday.
THE STAT
Angers now have eight points from their last four matches, after picking up just two from their first six. Only Lyon, Lille and Paris Saint-Germain have more in this span.
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