Adingra & Balogun see Monaco past Angers
AS Monaco secured a third straight win in Ligue 1 McDonald's to continue their recent improvement, helped by goals from Simon Adingra and Folarin Balogun to seal a 2-0 win over Angers on Saturday evening at Stade Louis II. Following UEFA Champions League elimination at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, Les Monégasques got back to winning ways domestically with a third consecitaive win to boost their European qualification hopes for next season.
Despite dominating possession, Monaco initially struggled to break down a well-organised Angers side. The visitors produced the first real moment of danger when Yassine Belkhdim burst forward on the counter, his low effort flashing narrowly past the post (35’). Moments later, Monaco responded through Lamine Camara, who failed to find the target when well placed inside the area.
Balogun also created an opportunity shortly before the break, setting up Jordan Teze, whose header drifted wide as the two sides went into half-time level at 0-0.
Monaco strike after the break
The match turned shortly after the restart.Angers thought they had a major opportunity when Belkhdim broke into the Monaco box, but Philipp Köhn produced an excellent save to keep the scores level (51’).
Just minutes later, Monaco capitalised. After Golovin’s shot was parried by Oumar Pona, Teze delivered a cross to the far post where Balogun bundled the ball home in two attempts to open the scoring (57’).
The hosts doubled their lead only five minutes later. Golovin again provided the spark, releasing Simon Adingra, who cut inside before curling a superb finish beyond Pona to make it 2-0 (62’).
From that point on, Monaco controlled the tempo of the game. Angers attempted to push forward late on but struggled to create clear chances, with the Monaco defence—marshalled by Denis Zakaria and Thilo Kehrer—comfortably managing the final stages. The hosts even had opportunities to extend their lead, with substitute Mika Biereth going close late on.
The result moves Monaco provisionally level on points with Lille in sixth place, reinforcing their ambitions of qualifying for European competition next season.
Angers, meanwhile, remain 12th in the standings, still holding a comfortable cushion above the relegation zone despite back-to-back defeats.
THE STAT: Possesed
Monaco have attempted 778 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Ligue 1 McDonald's this season.
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