Watching from the stands, Leonardo Jardim saw the size of the challenge he faces in ensuring Monaco avoid relegation as the Principality club fell 2-0 at drop rivals Dijon.
Dijon FCO 2-0 AS Monaco
THE MATCH
Franck Passi took temporary command of Monaco in Burgundy but it was a case of the same old story for the visitors as they slumped to defeat and had Naldo sent off. Monaco have only three victories to their name all season, one of them achieved by Jardim in his nine games in charge at the start of the campaign.
With Thierry Henry dismissed after only three months in charge, Monaco would have been hoping for an immediate lift. Their captain Radamel Falcao (15') was denied by Bobby Allain before Danijel Subasic saved at the other end from Wesley Saïd (17').
Dijon kicked off only a spot above 19th-placed Monaco in the table but - buoyed by a big win at Saint-Etienne in the Coupe de France on Wednesday - Antoine Kombouaré's side took the lead (24') when Chong-Hoon Kwon adeptly controlled Fouad Chafik's pass before side-footing the ball beyond the helpless Subasic for his first of the season. Monaco almost equalised (40') when an audacious Youri Tielemans attempt landed just wide.
Monaco were pushing at the start of the second half before Naldo was shown the red card (60') for an uncontrolled challenge on Julio Tavares. Nine minutes later (69') Dijon made the points safe as a Fodé Ballo-Touré error allowed Tavares to cross for Naim Sliti to come up with a fine finish with the instep of his left boot. Dijon climbed to 16th thanks to this fourth home game in a row unbeaten and could have made it three when Jules Keita slipped one wide in stoppage time.
Monaco must lift themselves for the official start of Jardim's second spell in charge when they go to Guingamp in the Coupe de la Ligue semi-finals on Tuesday.
THE PLAYER: Naldo
Brought in to shore up Monaco's defence, the Brazilian international has endured a nightmare start to his Ligue 1 Conforama career. The 36-year-old saw red for the second time in three league appearances and both fouls the former Schalke centre-half has committed in the French top division have resulted in him being dismissed.
THE STAT: 13
Monaco have lost 13 of the 22 Ligue 1 Conforama games they've played this season, their highest total at this stage in history.
