Match Reports
Monaco get vital win in Angers
A different look to the eleven
The road has hardly been a happy hunting ground for AS Monaco in 2025 -- ahead of their Matchday 26 trip to Angers today, the Principality side had yet to pick up a win on their travels in Ligue 1 McDonald's this calendar year. Thus, their trip to Angers on Saturday was a chance to both snap that streak and exact a measure of revenge, as Le SCO had won the reverse fixture.
With Denis Zakaria back from suspension, Monaco lined up in a 4-2-3-1, with the captain partnering Al-Musrati in central midfield, while Angers, with Esteban Lepaul also fit again, played the same formation. Monaco started the brighter of the two sides, regularly testing Yahia Fofana in the hosts' goal. While the best chances came to Takumi Minamino (7') and Mika Biereth (38') neither side were able to break the deadlock before the break.
A big impact by Mika Biereth at Monaco! ⭐️🙌 pic.twitter.com/bdxoT945pZ
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 15, 2025
Biereth shows the way once more
It was more of the same after the break, with Monaco's press harrying the hosts, but Angers giving no ground. But the persistence of Adi Hütter's side would pay off, thanks to some inspired play from two of the team's in-form players. Caio Henrique got forward on the left and sent in a teasing cross to Biereth who controlled and finished from close range to give his side the lead. The assist was the Brazilian's fourth since the beginning of September and Biereth's 11th goal in the league since his winter arrival.
The Monégasques weren't done there, though, as just ten minutes later Maghnes Akliouche won and converted a penalty (88') to double the lead and go above Nice. With the result, Monaco go into the international break in third place, the Principality side having taken advantage of a draw by OGC Nice and loss by LOSC Lille this round to surge ahead of their two rivals in the race for a top four place. As for Angers, they remain six points clear of the bottom three but will rue what was largely a solid performance wasted.
Read more:
