In Le Havre this Saturday, AS Monaco could aim to take the place of runner-up to PSG. Alas, confirming their recent difficulties on the offensive level, the Monegasques had to settle for a dull draw (0-0), which still kept them on the 3rd step of the podium.
The Principality’s players, messy and sluggish, never knew how to get this match going despite the presence of their talented attackers, Ben Yedder, Golovin and the young prodigy Akliouche, starting at the kick-off. Returning shortly after the hour mark, Minamino, silent for two and a half months in Ligue 1, and Balogun were unable to cope better with the valiant and well-grouped Normans.
Le Havre, who struggled throughout the match to develop their game and be dangerous, could have taken the advantage through Alioui at the start of the second half, but Monaco goalkeeper Köhn was not surprised on the dive ball from the 24-year-old Franco-Moroccan center forward.
And what about Grandsir’s match point. In the 97th minute of play, beyond four minutes of added time, Luka Elsner’s players collected a penalty following a foul by Diop in his area, but the Le Havre striker, under pressure, completely missed the transformation and wasted a golden opportunity to bring his team closer to European places. ASM can thank its former attacker…
With this draw, the Normandy team still confirms its very good start to the season and is provisionally in sixth place in Ligue 1, while the 12th day continues, and ends, this Sunday.