Monaco has claimed another significant victory as they defeated Angers 2-0 during the 26th round of Ligue 1 on March 15, 2025. The match, held at the Stade Raymond Kopa, had its significance heightened by the fact it allowed Monaco to reclaim their spot on the podium following the errors of both Nice and Lille earlier this weekend.
Throughout the contest, Monaco demonstrated calm determination, scoring both of their goals after Angers had settled defensively. Mika Biereth opened the scoring for the visitors with his 11th goal of the season, followed shortly thereafter by Maghnes Akliouche, who netted from the penalty spot after drawing the foul from Angers' goalkeeper Courcoul.
The match saw Angers, who is now comfortably above the relegation zone with six points to spare, struggle to pose any real threat to the visitors. Despite their efforts, they managed only two shots on target, with Abdelli’s stunning effort hitting the post serving as their best chance.
Starting the match with several key players sidelined due to injury, Angers' manager Alexandre Dujeux fielded a competitive squad but couldn’t escape the trend of consecutive losses, marking their third defeat since the beginning of March. The defeat follows previous lopsided games, including significant losses to Toulouse and Brest.
Meanwhile, Monaco's head coach Adi Hütter balanced between offensive aspirations and defensive solidity, managing to maintain pressure on Angers throughout the match. The previously frustrating first half saw little action result in goals, ending at 0-0 with Monaco recovering quickly before the match’s final minutes.
The exciting moment came with Biereth's breakthrough goal at the 77th minute, finishing off a brilliant move where Caio Henrique provided the assist with pinpoint accuracy. This marked Biereth's first goal on the road for Monaco since his transfer, highlighting his pivotal role with the team.
Angers did make some substitutions, bringing on Niane, Dieng, and El Melali, but these were not enough to change the dynamic of the match as they lacked the finishing power required to convert chances. Their fleeting moments of attacking play were matched only briefly by Monaco’s composed defense.
The atmosphere was heavy with tension as both teams fought for advantage, but it was not until the last few minutes of the match when Akliouche sealed the victory. Following a strong run, he was fouled by Courcoul, leading to the awarding of the penalty. Without hesitation, Akliouche coolly converted past Fofana to double the scoreline and effectively put the game beyond reach.
A particularly noteworthy aspect of the match occurred when the gameplay was paused briefly to allow Muslim players to break their Ramadan fast. This innovative move, though not common within the French league, mirrors events already seen earlier this season across various other leagues.
The features of this match shed light on Monaco's return to form after earlier inconsistencies this season. With this result, they now aim to build momentum as they prepare for their upcoming matches against key rivals, including Nice.
Angers, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly as they attempt to stave off any remaining anxieties of relegation with their upcoming fixtures. For now, the focus is on their performance against tougher opponents; they must restore their confidence to avoid continuing their recent poor run.
While the scoreboard reads 2-0, the impact of the match reaches beyond just the numbers—both teams are at different junctures of their season, each bolstered by their respective fight for distinct objectives, one aiming for the podium and the other striving for stability.