Lorient got the better of 10-man Monaco in this close-fought Ligue 1 clash as they emerged 3-1 winners at the Stade du Moustoir, ending a run of three matches (D1, L2) that had seen Les Merlus concede an astonishing 12 goals.
Table toppers before the weekend, Monaco came into this game in fine form, having won their last three league matches. But considering that they were playing a Lorient side that have won just one of their opening five matches (D1, L3), Adolf Hutter’s side struggled to get going and were unable to muster a single shot in the opening 25 minutes.
Les Monegasques’ frustrations saw them resort to long shots with Takumi Minamino striking over the bar from the edge of the area, and the game got even harder for them after 38 minutes, when Thilo Kehrer was shown a second yellow card for a bad foul.
Things got worse still soon after though, as the resulting free-kick found its way to Mohamed Bamba, who managed to steer his first-time volley in at the near post to give the home side the lead.
Lorient continued to control the game after the break, going close again through Bamba, after the Ivorian forward got off an audacious attempt from distance, only to be denied by a good save by Philipp Kohn.
Les Merlus continued probing at the Monaco defence, eventually managing to break them down and get their second of the afternoon. This time the goalscorer was substitute Pablo Pagis, who kept his cool to slot the ball under Kohn and into the goal.
Olivier Pantaloni’s side added a third as the game entered the final 10 minutes, with Pagis scoring his second of the game, when the midfielder fired a fantastic effort in off the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area to secure all three points.
However there was a late penalty for Monaco after VAR ruled that Abdoulaye Faye had handled the ball in the penalty area, Ansu Fati stepped up and fired it in to score a late consolation for the visitors.
Lorient’s victory lifts them away from the bottom three, while Monaco’s near-perfect start to the season came to a halt after a dismal afternoon.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Pablo Pagis (Lorient)
