Clermont Foot 63 0-2 AS Monaco

THE MATCH

Monaco coach Philippe Clément chose to leave top scorer Wissam Ben Yedder on the bench in one of four changes to his starting line-up following the 3-2 win over AJ Auxerre in midweek. The injured Eliesse Ben Seghir was also absent as Breel Embolo returned to the team and Takumi Minamino earned a recall too, the Japanese international earning his first start in a Ligue 1 game since December 28.

The visitors took the lead inside three minutes and never looked back. A Caio Henrique set-piece delivery was met by the head of Guillermo Maripan and went in via a big touch off Clermont defender Mateusz Wieteska (3’). Monaco then scored again in the 13th minute as Minamino drove forward and found Aleksandr Golovin, the Russian clipping a ball across the face of goal for Embolo to stoop and head in at the back post.

The outcome was never really in doubt after that, even if the away side missed chances to add to their lead with Caio Henrique, Minamino and Mohamed Camara all coming close before the interval. Clermont simply did not look like scoring, failing to muster a shot on target until stoppage time at the end of the match.

Monaco are now four points better off than fifth-placed Stade Rennais FC, while Clermont have now gone three games without a win or even scoring a goal.

THE PLAYER: Takumi Minamino

The Japan forward  has struggled to settle in the principality since arriving from Liverpool in the last close season. He took his chance to impress here, however, after being recalled for a first league start in 2023. Playing just off central striker Embolo, Minamino played his part in setting up the second goal and put in a power of running before coming off late on and finishing the afternoon with an ice pack around his knee.

THE STAT: 7

Monaco are unbeaten in seven Ligue 1 games now and are in good form ahead of next weekend’s clash with leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

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