The duel for the podium turned into a punishment. Lens made short work of Monaco on Saturday at Bollaert in the shock of the 32nd day of Ligue 1 (3-0). Hungry, Loïs Openda and his partners started off on their feet and the Belgian scored twice (9th and 16th). Adrien Thomasson increased the addition in the second half (56th). Overwhelmed, the Monegasques find themselves five points behind the Northerners, now 2nd, two points ahead of OM who will play against Lyon on Sunday.
In the midst of a huge atmosphere, the Lensois entered the match like starved to death. They devoured Monegasques who were not ready to face such intensity. The biting Deiver Machado went to scrape the ball to the left of the surface after a raise from Alexander Nübel and allowed Openda to open the scoring in two stages despite a first save from Guillermo Maripan (1-0, 9th).
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openda on fire
Machado, Openda, but also Seko Fofana and Florian Sotoca pressed very high and chained dangerous strikes (12th, 14th). The winning duo from the opener did it again with a perfect cross from Machado taken over in the six-meter race by Openda for a 17th goal in Ligue 1 this season (2-0, 16th).
Totally helpless, the Monegasques still took advantage of a short interruption, due to fireworks launched by local supporters, to regain their senses (31st). Lens again raised his voice shortly before the break but Seko Fofana’s curling shot only grazed the frame (39th), then his overpowering shot from the right after a counter smashed the crossbar (44th).
helpless monaco
Despite the tactical and technical bankruptcy of his men in the first period, the Monegasque coach Philippe Clement did not change anything. The debates thus resumed on the same physiognomy. Lens pushed, Monaco suffered and Thomasson was quickly denied a goal for offside (49th). It was only a postponement for the former Strasbourg player. Ideally served by the untenable Openda after a nice movement, he signed the third northern goal with a grazing recovery (3-0, 56th).
Lens then eased off somewhat and Monaco were able to raise their heads over the changes. Wissam Ben Yedder (72nd), incoming Edan Diop (75th), Takumi Minamino (79th) and Myron Boadu (84th) however narrowly failed to deceive Brice Samba and his solid defense. Lens bounced back quickly after their loss to PSG (3-1) and won their 14th home game this season. The fight will rage until the end, but with this kind of performance, the Blood and Gold should taste the next Champions League.
Loïs Openda celebrates a goal during Lens – Monaco in Ligue 1
Credit: Getty Images
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