(Ligue 1 2022/2023): Highlights AJACCIO - MONACO

Ajaxio wanted to make up for the last time they clashed with Monaco, this time hosting the Principality Club in Corsica. The reverse fixture saw no smiles or waves from ACA, and sadly we do in January saw Monaco thumb Ajaxio 7-1. Yet an upset couldn't be completely discounted after a major Monaco slump. Philippe Clermont's side has slipped off the podium after winning none of the last three league matches and crashing out of the Europa League. Ruben Aguilera though was sent crashing from the resultant set-piece and took the lead. Guillermo Maripan denied initially by Benjamin Leroy but not Wissam Ben Yedder. 11 of his 17 goals in Liga and Uber Eats coming in 2023, the best in the top five European leagues and only the third player to reach 80 goals with Monaco in the top flight after Dario Onis and Lucien Kosu. Bolivia Pantelloni's ACA desperate to gain points starting the evening, two points from safety. Captain Mathieu Coutadour taking matters into his own hands. From this distance there was no overly concern for Alexandre Nubel. Wissam Ben Yedder, the difference at the break. The last time he scored it was a 14-minute hat-trick against Ajaxio, just the one so far in the Corsican Sun. Philippe Clermont would have wanted the game put to bed given their recent shaky form. That task made easier surely when Ciro Baiala was shown his first red card since his show days in Ligue 2 Becketté. Karl-Heinrich on the end of that, Ajaxio's sixth red card, their highest tally in a single league season since 2015-16, when they received 10 in Ligue 2 Becketté. ACA en route to a 15th league match without scoring, and often desperation in going from distance. Mikael Jose Barreto over the top. Monaco creating their own problems despite a man advantage. Axel Desassi had to get over quickly. Captain Duhm brilliantly to get the block on Kevin Spadaruda. Coutadour pressing initially. It was he who then swung the ball wide, and yet finally they did put the game to bed. A four on three. Crepan Diatas, second league goal, once again making it 2-0 against Ajaxio. The last time it ended 7-1, this time two more than enough to get Monaco back on track, although not their most convincing.