(Ligue 1 2023/2024): Highlights MONACO - HAVRE AC

Sunday afternoon game featured a trip for Loewe to face a Monaco side who have had a very mixed but rarely uneventful 2024 so far. Montgasque started the year with a dramatic penalty shootout win over Lens in the cup then fell to a disappointing 3-1 loss at home to Reims, reversed that scoreline in the following cup match and then ended their game with Marseille last time out down to nine men having lost the lead twice in a 2-2 draw. Loewe's previous outing wasn't exactly lacking in drama they came from behind twice in a 3-3 draw with L'Oreal which featured three goals after the 85th minute. The first half here however was surprisingly lacking in action for the most part Magnus Akius forced a decent save though from Arte Desmas. Petit in the back of his shirt and a couple of his teammates as well as Monaco honoured club legend Jean Petit who died late last month. Closest the visitors came to opening the scoring was direct from a corner Christopher Aubery's cold ball in nearly catching out Philippe Cohen and then another good piece of goalkeeping from Desmas. This time Akius the creator pulled through for his captain. Keeper diving bravely at the feet of Rizan Benyetta. That would be that for the first 45 goalless at the break both sides needing to find an extra gear in the second half. It was the goalkeepers and particularly Desmas who continued to come out on top though. In this occasion reacting quickly to deny Thilo Correa with a strong right hand. Another Loewe corner resulted in a half chance running all the way through to Ospon Juju who rifled one into the side netting. But the breakthrough would eventually come via the away side playing themselves into trouble trying to play it out from the back but stolen away. Akius knocking it sideways and Benyetta slotting home to score in his sixth successive match in all competitions. That his ninth goal in those six outings he is now the second top scorer in the division behind Kylian Mbappe. However two minutes later it will be back to square one free kick into the box which Yusuf Urbana attempts to clear only succeeded in turning into his own net. Head in hands denying inside a potential first clean sheet since early December whilst Adi Hertz's men continue to push for a lead that might last longer than two minutes. Akius' mishit effort rather summed up the total of their efforts in the final 20 minutes. Visitors confidently held their nerve to secure a point but that is now just one lead victory from their last 11. Monaco meanwhile are winless in their last three outings on home turf if they are to return to a podium spot that's something they'll need to improve upon and fast.