A Thiago Silva own-goal denied Paris Saint-German victory over nearest Ligue 1 rivals AS Monaco on Sunday, as France’s top two clubs played out their second 1-1 draw of the season.
The result kept PSG as the firm favorites to win a second straight title as it left them five points ahead of Monaco with 14 games to go.
Monaco salvaged a point after PSG captain Silva stretched and inadvertently turned a Fabinho cross into his goal in the 74th minute.
Photo: AFP
The result was probably a fair reflection of the match, but PSG will be the most disappointed since they held the lead since the eighth minute on Javier Pastore header.
“It was a good game with lots of chances,” Monaco manager Claudio Ranieri said. “I hope PSG will win the Champions League for French football and leave a few points for Monaco.”
Pastore, who PSG drafted to replace injured striker Edinson Cavani, scored from close range after a corner was flicked-on by defender Alex.
Monaco’s response was immediate and they should have been level six minutes later, but Emmanuel Riviere squandered a great chance by pushing a rebound from Sirigu wide with the goal at his mercy.
Yet it was not all one-way traffic. PSG should have doubled their lead, but Ibrahimovic uncharacteristically squandered a fine opportunity after good play on the left flank between Pastore and Maxwell.
The second half was more scrappy affair, with PSG largely in control.
PSG came closest to scoring when Ibrahimovic fired in a fierce free-kick that Monaco’s Croatian goalie Danijel Subasic did well to turn wide in the 55th minute.
Both sides had a chance to secure victory in the final minutes. First, Fabinho was denied in the 89th from giving Monaco — who brought on Dimitar Berbatov for his debut in the 64th — victory after his shot was saved by Sirigu.
Moments later, Subasic made a similar save to deny Ligue 1 top-scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Also on Sudnay, Olympique Lyonnais beat Nantes 2-1, while the match between Girondins de Bordeaux and Lorient was postponed.
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