Monaco edge past Bordeaux

AFP, PARIS: Rony Lopes scored his sixth goal in seven games as Monaco came from behind to beat Bordeaux 2-1 to tighten their grip on second place in Ligue 1 on Friday.

Runaway leaders Paris Saint Germain have 71 points ahead of their trip to Troyes on Saturday, and Monaco now have 60 while third placed Marseille have 55 before hosting Nantes Sunday.

Bordeaux had won four of their last five games before this challenging away clash and took the lead with a thumping goal from Valentin Vada around the half hour.

The 21-year-old Argentine sneaked into the box to wallop a first time strike into the top corner.

Arsenal target Thomas Lemar spurned a golden opportunity to equalise within a minute as he nudged a ball agonisingly wide with the Bordeaux 'keeper Benoit Costil beaten.

Stevan Jovetic’s equaliser in the 45th minute sent the hosts back to the dressing room with a boost.

Running on to a through ball he raced into the box and wrong footed Costil as his shot flew into the bottom corner.

Lopes then sealed the three points in the 69th minute with a tight-angled shot from the edge of the six-yard area.

Lopes had scored five times in Monaco’s last six league games, including a brace in last week’s 3-3 draw at Toulouse. Leonardo Jardim’s Monaco are now unbeaten in 13 league outings.

Now 22, the Portuguese attacking midfielder was at Manchester City before being sold to Monaco in 2015. After spending last season on loan at Lille, he returned as a replacement for Bernardo Silva, and is enjoying a fine campaign.

“He is one of those players to show their capacity to succeed, so I congratulate him,” said Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim.

“He has made the most of the eight months since he returned.”

 

Monaco edge past Bordeaux

AFP, PARIS: Rony Lopes scored his sixth goal in seven games as Monaco came from behind to beat Bordeaux 2-1 to tighten their grip on second place in Ligue 1 on Friday. Runaway leaders Paris Saint Germain have 71 points ahead of their trip to Troyes on Saturday, and Monaco now have 60 while third placed Marseille have 55 before hosting Nantes Sunday. Bordeaux had won four of their last five games before this challenging away clash and took the lead with a thumping goal from Valentin Vada around the half hour. The 21-year-old Argentine sneaked into the box to wallop a first time strike into the top corner. Arsenal target Thomas Lemar spurned a golden opportunity to equalise within a minute as he nudged a ball agonisingly wide with the Bordeaux keeper Benoit Costil beaten. Stevan Jovetics equaliser in the 45th minute sent the hosts back to the dressing room with a boost. Running on to a through ball he raced into the box and wrong footed Costil as his shot flew into the bottom corner. Lopes then sealed the three points in the 69th minute with a tight-angled shot from the edge of the six-yard area. Lopes had scored five times in Monacos last six league games, including a brace in last weeks 3-3 draw at Toulouse. Leonardo Jardims Monaco are now unbeaten in 13 league outings. Now 22, the Portuguese attacking midfielder was at Manchester City before being sold to Monaco in 2015. After spending last season on loan at Lille, he returned as a replacement for Bernardo Silva, and is enjoying a fine campaign. He is one of those players to show their capacity to succeed, so I congratulate him, said Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim. He has made the most of the eight months since he returned.