Monaco masters Clermont and gets back on the podium

Monaco confirms its attraction for travel. Undefeated away from its bases since last October (4-3 defeat in Lille), the Principality club extended its series by largely dominating Clermont this Sunday, as part of the 22nd day of Ligue 1. As against Auxerre on Wednesday ( 3-2), or Ajaccio (7-1) three weeks ago, Philippe Clément’s players did not give way to the observation round, opening the scoring after only two minutes of play thanks to Guillermo Maripán. The 17th opening of the Monegasque score this season, best total in Ligue 1.

And as against Ajaccio, the Monegasques showed their ability to unroll and shake their opponent when he is already on the ropes. After a number of dribbles from Aleksandr Golovin, who also confirms his good health at the moment, Breel Embolo drove the Clermontois with a header into the empty goal, to bring his total league goals to 12 units, the best performance of the Swiss international since the start of his career.

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Monaco’s attacking arsenal, the winning recipe

Faced with an in-form Auvergne formation, which remained on a series of 5 matches without defeat before this meeting, Monaco remained inflexible thanks to its breeding ground of attacking talents. Established for the first time in 2023 in Ligue 1, Takumi Minamino returned Philippe Clément’s confidence, by showing himself to be more successful than we had known before, and by displaying a lot of activity. Krepin Diatta, who has picked up some color in recent weeks, has also been very restless even if he should have, at least, finished his score with an assist for Embolo (74th).

With second knives capable of showing themselves to their advantage, as today with the absences of Wissam Ben Yedder, left on the bench, and Eliesse Ben Seghir, package, the Monegasque offensive armada could well be the miracle recipe for climb onto the podium at the end of the season. Especially since Kevin Volland, long injured, was able to play about ten minutes, even being denied a goal for offside (88th). In the meantime, Monaco is temporarily back to a small point behind Lens, 3rd, before hosting PSG next weekend. Clermont, for its part, remains 10th just behind Nice and OL.