PLAYER RATINGS | Monaco 1-0 Lille: Youssouf Fofana goal postpones PSG’s title celebrations | OneFootball

Ligue 1 Uber Eats, Round 29, 24/04/24

AS Monaco postponed Paris Saint-Germain’s title celebrations by beating Lille OSC (1-0) at the Stade Louis II on Wednesday, whilst also bolstering their chances of securing UEFA Champions League football for next season.

After PSG beat FC Lorient earlier on Wednesday, anything less than a win would have seen Les Parisiens crowned champions for the third successive season. That looked like a distinct possibility in the opening exchanges with Lille creating a string of high-quality chances. Gabriel Gudmundsson, released by Benjamin André drove into the box and found himself in a glorious position to open the scoring but he could only strike straight at Radoslaw Majecki. Either side of the Polish goalkeeper and it would have been a different outcome.

Majecki was forced into action once again minutes later after a Vanderson deflection sent the ball looping goalwards. However, in what was a close and high-quality encounter, Monaco had chances too. Takumi Minamino went close with a driven effort from the edge of the box, whilst Folarin Balogun also missed a good opportunity after he tried and failed to round the impressive Lucas Chevalier.

Lille, who were looking to leapfrog Stade Brestois into third, looked more desperate for the three points upon the return from the dressing room with Gudmundsson clipping the outside of the post with a headed effort and Nabil Bentaleb also going close.

However, it was the Principality club who took the lead thanks to a sweetly-struck Youssouf Fofana effort that nestled in Chevalier’s bottom corner. Monaco proceeded to dominate and did not allow Lille a route back into the game. Ben Yedder should have doubled Les Monégasques’ advantage but like Balogun in the first half, he failed in his attempts to round Chevalier when put through one-on-one.

Monaco held on for the win, which takes them six points clear of Lille and five clear of Brest. It is looking increasingly likely that the Stade Louis II will be hosting Champions League football next season.

Monaco player ratings

Radoslaw Majecki – 6

Krépin Diatta – 4

Thilo Kehrer – 6

Guillermo Maripán – 7

Vanderson – 5

Takumi Minamino – 5

Denis Zakaria – 6

Youssouf Fofana – 8

The languid France international showed his class in possession, driving his team forward, breaking the lines and most crucially, proving the difference with his goal. He hasn’t always played at his top level this season but this was a match in which he showed why he has earned Didier Deschamps’ trust.

Maghnes Akliouche – 6

Folarin Balogun – 3

The USMNT striker didn’t strike up a strong partnership with Ben Yedder and they hindered each other more than they helped each other. Balogun rarely found himself with the ball in dangerous positions but when he did, he squandered the chance notably in the 23rd minute when he tried and failed to round Chevalier.

Wissam Ben Yedder – 4

Usually so clinical in front of goal, he has clearly been lacking in confidence in recent weeks and his indecision when put through on goal evidenced that. His decision-making and execution are sorely lacking. Breel Embolo’s return is timely.

Lille player ratings

Lucas Chevalier – 7

Chevalier was second favourite on two occasions with Balogun and then Ben Yedder both trying and failing to go around him. However, on both occasions, he shifted his balance perfectly, anticipated and made the crucial goal-saving intervention. Not a decisive performance but an impressive one.

Ismaily – 6

Leny Yoro – 5

Bafodé Dakité – 4

Tiago Santos – 6

Nabil Bentaleb – 6

Benjamin André – 5

Gabriel Gudmundsson – 5

Angel Gomes – 8

An exceptional performance from the England youth international, who ran the midfield for Lille, setting the tempo but also proving their most incisive player. Gomes made six key passes on the night and in another game, could have had a couple of assists.

Hakón Arnar Haraldsson – 6

Jonathan David – 4

GFFN | Luke Entwistle