The Ligue 1 title race took a dramatic turn at the Stade Louis-II on Saturday as Paris Saint-Germain suffered only their second league defeat of the season, falling 1-0 to a resilient AS Monaco side.
Takumi Minamino’s clinical second-half strike proved the difference, condemning the reigning champions to a loss that leaves them just one point clear of rivals Marseille at the summit. The victory was a tactical triumph for Monaco head coach Sébastien Pocognoli, whose side finished with 10 men after captain Thilo Kehrer was dismissed late on but held firm to secure a vital three points.
Champions Blunt in Attack
Despite dominating possession, Luis Enrique’s side lacked their usual cutting edge, managing just four shots on target from 17 attempts. The visitors spurned early opportunities, with Fabián Ruiz firing wide from a Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pass and Vitinha seeing a well-struck effort saved by Monaco goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.
Monaco, content to absorb pressure and strike on the counter, grew into the game after the interval. The breakthrough arrived in the 68th minute when Aleksandr Golovin orchestrated a sharp move, feeding Minamino in the box. The former Liverpool winger found space to drill a precise finish into the bottom corner, beating PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier for his fourth goal of the campaign.
Pogba Features as Monaco Hold On
The hosts faced a nervous finale after VAR intervention saw Thilo Kehrer sent off in the 80th minute for a bad foul on young winger Ibrahim Mbaye. In response, Pocognoli introduced Paul Pogba, making only his second league appearance since returning from a lengthy suspension, to add experience and steel to the midfield.
The gamble paid off as Monaco navigated the closing stages to inflict PSG’s third loss in all competitions this season. The result leaves the Parisians on 30 points, looking over their shoulders at Marseille (29 points) and Lens (28 points), blowing the championship battle wide open.
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