AS Monaco and PSG clashed yesterday at the Parc des Princes in the 33rd day of Ligue 1 football. The Monegasques lost 3-1 to the Parisians, who became this year’s official French Ligue 1 champions.
After not displaying their best football in the last two games, PSG hosted AS Monaco at home. The match was an opportunity for Monegasques to restore their competitive image that was somewhat tarnished after two consecutive draws, and also delay the near-inevitable coronation of Parisians as champions. All in a cathedral-esque atmosphere.
Notre-Dame at the Parc des Princes
Indeed, a few days after the devastating fire, both AS Monaco and PSG sported collector’s jerseys as a tribute to Notre-Dame de Paris, which were created especially for this meeting.
Thus, instead of the traditional official sponsor “Fly Emirates”, appearing on Paris’ jerseys, there was a drawing of the cathedral on the chest and each player’s name was replaced by the inscription “Notre-Dame” on the back. In the same spirit, a small drawing of the monument was also displayed on the front of Monegasque jerseys, above the sponsor.
The new gear appears to have inspired Tuchel’s men, who won 3-1 against the Monegasques with an electric Kylian MBappe and the return of its front players Neymar and Cavani.
PSG dominant despite Monegasque threats
The Parisians would dominate from the first minutes, though it was AS Monaco who would create the first opportunity of the match with a cross-shot by Rony Lopes diverted by Areola. Kylian Mbappe, served by Diaby, would go on to score the first goal of the game in the first fifteen minutes (14′), bringing the score to 1-0 for PSG just minutes after the replacement of Subasic by Benaglio (12′). Jardim’s men would play in a block, but Paris will strike again as Alves found Kylian Mbappe who would make the score 2-0 (38′).
The Monegasque reaction would not take long. Barely five minutes later, Gelsons Martins unleashed a shot from outside the foot at the edge of the box, but it was diverted by Areola (43 ‘). Score at half-time: 2-0 for Paris.
Back in the locker room, the second period would begin with difficulty for AS Monaco, who would suffer a new goal from the Parisian siege in the 55th minute, with Kylian Mbappé registering a treble against his former club.
The Red and Whites reacted again thanks to its Portuguese assets, Gelson Martins and Carlos Vinicius, whose attempts on goal would remain unsuccessful (61 ‘and 63′). They would manage to save a sliver of honor nevertheless. Thanks to a recovery from Vinicius, Aleksandr Golovin would score his second goal of the season (80’).
Final score: 3-1 for PSG. This victory gave them a 19-point lead on LOSC and officially secured the Ligue 1 title. On the Monegasque side, the team remained in 16th place, retaining its lead over Amiens, 17th.
Next match: Rennes-Monaco, Wednesday, May 1st at 19h, at the Stade de la Route in Lorient, on behalf of the 34th day of Ligue 1.
*Article originally published on the French edition of the Monaco Tribune.