Maripan goal lifts Monaco over Lyon, Rennes thump Auxerre
paris: Monaco claimed a 2-1 victory over Lyon on Sunday for a second straight Ligue 1 win to put their disappointing start to the season behind them.
Philippe Clement’s side only won one of their first five league matches this term but have bounced back since a 4-2 home loss to Troyes, beating Nice last weekend and Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League in midweek. Lyon suffered a second defeat of the week ater losing their unbeaten record against Lorient on Wednesday.
Both teams squandered several chances in the first half, before Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile put the hosts ahead in the 55th minute by heading home Caio Henrique’s corner.
The Brazilian provided the second goal from another set-piece eight minutes later, as Guillermo Maripan glanced home his inswinging free-kick.
Lyon got themselves back into the game late on with Karl Toko Ekambi’s fourth goal of the campaign, but Monaco held on to move up to seventh in the table.
“We knew they were dangerous on set-pieces, we know that’s our weak point,” Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazete told Prime Video.
“We lack size at this level. It’s a shame because apart from these set-pieces we were well in the game.”
Monaco are behind Rennes on goal difference ater their 5-0 thrashing of Auxerre. Earlier, Lorient continued their fine season by climbing into fourth place with a 3-2 home win over Nantes.
Ater escaping relegation with one game to spare, Lorient have turned around their fortunes this summer under new coach Regis Le Bris. The club plays enthralling football and the atacking approach has been rewarded with five wins from their seven opening matches.
Dango Ouatara has played a crucial role in Lorient’s dream start, with four assists and three goals under his belt already.
Ater Ignatius Ganago put the visitors in the lead, Ouatarra leveled with a curled let-footed free kick that let goalkeeper Alban Lafont helpless.
Elsewhere, Andy Delort scored the only goal to give Nice a 1-0 win at Ajaccio; Angers defeated Montpellier 2-1 for its first win of the season; and Toulouse ended a run of three straight losses by beating Reims 1-0.
Reigningchampionsparissaint-germainremain above rivals Marseille on goal difference at the top of the table ater their 1-0 success against Brest on Saturday.