Lorient topple lacklustre Monaco | OneFootball

Lorient striker Terem Moffi converted a first-half penalty to beat Monaco 1-0, leaving the title hopefuls with just one point from their opening two league fixtures and some early catching up to do.

THE MATCH

Round two of Ligue 1 Uber Eats kicked off at a sold-out Stade du Moustoir as both sides looked to pick up their first three points of the season after registering draws on the opening weekend

Monaco head coach Niko Kovac, once again heavily rotated his starting line-up, as he nurses his players through a crowded August fixture list.

Comfortable winners on their last three trips to Lorient, Monaco lacked rhythm in the opening exchanges and struggled to get a foothold in the game, showing just glimpses of quality in the final third.

Disjointed visitors

Despite the principality side enjoying the lion's share of possession, Christophe Pélissier's side looked dangerous on the counter, with the pace of Armand Laurienté giving Kovac's side food for thought.

The first meaningful chance of the game fell to Monaco's Kevin Volland, whose low drive was saved by Lorient shot-stopper Paul Nardi (28').

That seemed to spark the contest into life and shortly after, Lorient were awarded a penalty when Monaco defender Ismail Jakobs, on his first league start for the club, was penalised for shirt tugging on the dangerous Moffi.

Moffi up and running

Nigerian international Moffi stepped up himself to fire the Lorient ahead from the spot (31') in front of a visibly frustrated Kovac, opening his account for the season, after notching 14 goals last term.

Monaco's main threat came from the aerial prowess of defender Strahinja Pavlovic, the young Serb going close twice in quick succession on the hour mark.

Kovac opted to twist in pursuit of an equaliser and introduced Wissam Ben Yedder, Caio Henrique and Aleksandr Golovin to help turn the tide.

Golovin should have done better from 20 yards when his poorly connected low drive bobbled wide (79').

Pélissier's well-drilled side held firm, maintaining their shape and restricting the visitors to possession in deep areas of the pitch. Despite some late jitters and only two shots on target all game, Lorient held on for a big three points, sending Monaco to their first reverse of the season.

THE PLAYER: Jérémy Morel

The ageless defender delivered a colossal performance for Lorient on Friday evening. The 37-year-old used all his experience to comfortably keep Monaco's attacking weapons at bay as his side registered their first win of the season. Former Marseille and Lyon man Morel showed that there is still plenty left in the tank as he starts his 20th season as a professional.

THE STAT: 7

Lorient are now seven home games unbeaten in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, stretching back to February, following their win against Monaco. After being heavily involved in a relegation battle last season, Christophe Pélissier has seemingly found the right formula and made his side hard to beat at the Stade du Moustoir. A strong indication that the Breton side have the tools to avoid the relegation scrap this time round.