Monaco surged to second place in Ligue 1 standings after a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory against rivals Nice in the Derby de la C�te d�Azur on Saturday. The result denied Nice their first league double over Monaco since the 2004/05 season and showcased the resilience of Adi H�tter�s squad.
The match started with drama as Monaco earned an early penalty in the fifth minute. A misplaced pass from Nice�s Benjamin Santamaria forced goalkeeper Marcin Bu?ka into a hurried clearance, leading to a foul on Breel Embolo. However, Mika Biereth, Monaco�s January signing from Sturm Graz, saw his low penalty kick saved by Bu?ka, who also denied the rebound attempt.
Monaco continued to press, with Takumi Minamino striking the crossbar, while Caio Henrique�s timely defending prevented Nice�s Evann Guessand from capitalizing before the half-hour mark. Despite further chances, including a tame effort from Maghnes Akliouche, it was Nice who took the lead. Jonathan Clauss delivered a precise cross, and Jeremie Boga headed home to silence the home crowd.
Unfazed, H�tter opted against halftime changes, a decision vindicated in the 55th minute. Lamine Camara�s sharp pass found Akliouche, whose deft flick set up Biereth to atone for his earlier miss with a powerful finish�his 12th goal in just 10 Ligue 1 games. The momentum shifted, though Akliouche squandered another chance shortly after, firing straight at Bu?ka.
Controversy followed when referee Jerome Brisard, after a VAR review, denied Monaco a second penalty for Dante�s challenge on Embolo. Undeterred, Embolo secured the winner in the 73rd minute. Akliouche pounced on a slip by Dante to assist the Swiss striker, who expertly controlled the ball before blasting it past Bu?ka.
Nice�s hopes faded late when Dante received a straight red card in stoppage time for fouling Akliouche as the last defender. Monaco held firm to claim their 10th point from the last four matches, strengthening their position ahead of next Saturday�s clash with Brest. Nice, now winless in three, will aim to rebound against Nantes on Friday.
H�tter praised his team�s character: �We showed patience and belief. This win is a big step for us.� For Nice, the defeat marks a stumble in their campaign, leaving them to regroup quickly.
