Nice 1-2 AS Monaco

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:15 am

Monaco got their Ligue 1 title tilt up and running with a 2-1 opening-game win at 10-man Nice.

Leonardo Jardim's men finished third last season but a spirited Champions League show offered hope they could be the team to have a real go at Paris St Germain this time around.

It did not look that way when they fell behind to old boy Valere Germain's goal but when Olivier Boscagli was sent off for a second booking before the break it gave them hope.

Bernardo Silva made it 1-1 six minutes after coming on as an interval substitute, then Layvin Kurzawa won it.

Germain left Monaco for Nice in the summer and took just seven minutes of his Ligue 1 debut for his new club to remind them of his abilities.

He was able to sneak in at the back post and turn home Alassane Plea's half-shot which was drilled across the box and not dealt with.

Nice's bid was hamstrung, though, when Boscagli was sent off for a second indiscretion.

That proved to be a turning point. Six minutes after half-time Bernardo came in at the back post to head in Anthony Martial's cross and get his side level.

And then, with 22 minutes on the clock, Kurzawa got up ahead of Nice goalkeeper Simon Pouplin to head in after Nampalys Mendy mis-hit a half volley into the turf which reared up.

ends