Memphis Depay (left) was decisive Sunday night on the lawn of the Louis-II stadium – AFP
At the Louis-II stadium in Monaco,
For their reunion, two weeks after an already explosive Cup quarter-final, Monaco and Lyon provided the show in the poster for this 35th day of Ligue1. This time, it was Rudi Garcia’s men who won (2-3) and relaunched the race for the Champions League. But, for the Principality’s club, it is the title that surely flies away.
Monaco can say goodbye to the title
Deprived of many players injured or affected by the Covid-19, Monaco was hampered in its dynamic, which allowed it to believe in a league title. With 71 points, Niko Kovac’s men are now five points away from Lille, the championship leader, and four from PSG.
OL can still believe in the Champions League
Jean-Michel Aulas had confirmed it a little earlier in the day: this match had everything of “a final”. Beaten, a week after the defeat against Lille, his players would have practically said “goodbye” to the Champions League. And, despite great fears, a red card against Caqueret and a crude penalty from Lopes, the OL boss can still hope to qualify for the C1. After a start all in domination, but without a goal – a recovery from Léo Dubois at close range above in the 4th and another strike from Toko Ekambi repulsed by the Monegasque goalkeeper in the 15th – the meeting on the Rock did indeed turn. the nightmare for the men of Rudy Garcia (1-0, 25th, on a goal from Kevin Volland).
Memphis Depay can leave with a free spirit
He is undoubtedly the man of the match on the Lyonnais side. The Dutch international, who ended his contract at Ol in June, was still decisive on several occasions. Back from the locker room, the Lyonnais returned to the match on an individual achievement from Memphis Depay (1-1, 58th). And confirm their superiority thanks to Marcelo in the 77th (2-1), following an assist from the Dutch on a free kick. Depay could also have scored another goal in the meantime, but his shot was uncertain. On OL’s third goal, Depay had only to admire the talent of Guimaraes and Cherki, author of the decisive goal in the 89th.