Monaco play their cards right in Montpellier victory
With Monaco travelling on the back of a four-game winning run in Ligue 1, the visitors were expected to make a strong start. But a tame opening period instead saw only a Mohamed Camara curling effort, which was easily gathered by Jonas Omlin in the Montpellier goal, and the same fate befell Caio Henrique’s fierce strike several minutes later, as Monaco frustrations began to build.
Montpellier offered precious little by way of attacking intent, meaning that Monaco would remain unbreached before half-time in away league action this term. Just moments before the break, the hosts were then punished with a real kick in the teeth for their inability to construct an attack, as Breel Embolo unleashed an absolute rasper into the roof of Omlin’s net.
The start to the second half was far brighter from a Montpellier perspective, and the hosts can count themselves slightly unlucky they didn’t net an equaliser just ten minutes after the restart, but Arnaud Nordin’s effort flashed wide of the post. Teji Savanier’s pop-shot from 30 yards, which flew handsomely over the bar, just about summed up Montpellier’s attacking endeavours – all huff and puff with no end product.
Knowing that the game was there to be taken, Monaco didn’t have to wait much longer for a second goal. Myron Boadu was on hand to tap home Henrique’s delivery on 80 minutes, and round off yet another solid performance after a European adventure in midweek, with Monaco now unbeaten in their five league outings following a UEFA Europa League game this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Caio Henrique (AS Monaco)