Denis Zakaria congratulated by his teammates after his goal for Monaco against Brest, April 21, 2024 at the Francis-Le-Blé stadium (AFP / FRED TANNEAU)
Monaco won its duel for 2nd place against Brest (2-0) on Sunday during the 30th day of Ligue 1, which also saw Lille react after its European elimination on Thursday by dominating Strasbourg (1-0).
In the other matches of the day, Metz won in a crucial match for maintenance against Le Havre (1-0) and Montpellier dominated Reims (2-1).
By going to beat Brest in Finistère, the Monegasques carried out an excellent operation, regaining second place with 55 points against 53, with one more match to play, Wednesday against Lille.
Taking advantage of a moment of error from the Brest defense, Denis Zakaria adjusted the small opposite net with a long shot (40th). Then the Rocher club hit the nail on the head with Takumi Minamino who took a cross from Krépin Diatta (48th). Before having to finish the last five minutes at 10 then 9 against 11 after bloody shots from Eliesse Ben Seghir and Wilfried Singo – without impact on the score.
Losc, eliminated on penalties by Aston Villa on Thursday in the Europa Conference League, recovered in its stadium by holding the score against Strasbourg after an early goal from Jonathan David (12).
The Strasbourg side, coached by Patrick Vieira, were however coming off a good period with 10 points taken in the four previous matches. Reason why this defeat does not put them in danger of relegation (13th, 36 points).
– Montpellier safe –
Jonathan David, scorer for Lille against Strasbourg, thanks his passer Rémy Cabella, April 21, 2024 at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium (AFP / Sameer Al-DOUMY)
As for Paulo Fonseca’s men, they are definitely having a good second half of the season and could win the coveted qualification for the Champions League. With this victory, they reach 52 points, three lengths behind the Monegasques before the clash between the two teams on Wednesday at Louis-II.
At the bottom of the ranking, Metz struck a big blow by winning at Le Havre, a direct competitor in the race to remain. It was again Georges Mikautadze who carried the Lorraines with, upon returning from the locker room, his eighth goal since his return from Ajax Amsterdam in January (46). He also hit the post a few minutes later.
Metz thus achieves a second consecutive victory and, with 29 points, overtakes Le Havre by one point to take 15th place, just ahead of that of play-off player.
For its part, Montpellier almost ensured its survival by beating Reims on its lawn, thanks to a late goal from Mousa Al-Tamari. Previously the Rémois Emmanuel Agbadou (66) had responded to Modibo Sagnan (25). The Hérault club now has 36 points, as many as Strasbourg, far ahead of Nantes (14th, 31 points).