Football
2020-21 Ligue 1
PSG 
0
FT
 MON
2
Reuters 3y

PSG suffer shock league loss to Monaco after big Barcelona win

Third-placed Paris Saint-Germain lost ground in the Ligue 1 title race when they slumped to a 2-0 home defeat against AS Monaco on Sunday after wins for their main rivals.

Five days after humbling Barcelona 4-1 in the Champions League, the French champions lacked stamina and inspiration as they fell four points behind leaders Lille who have 58 points from 26 games after beating Lorient 4-1 on Sunday.

- Barca, PSG, or Man City? Breaking down Messi's future options
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

Fourth-placed Monaco, who have now won eight of their last nine league games, prevailed through goals by Sofiane Diop and Guillermo Maripan to move within two points of PSG.

Lyon are second on 55 points following a 3-2 win at Brest on Saturday.

Mauricio Pochettino's PSG were still without the injured Neymar and Angel Di Maria, while key midfielder Marco Verratti started on the bench.

Kylian Mbappe, who impressed with a hat trick at the Camp Nou on Tuesday, struggled against a compact Monaco defence and the visitors took the lead after only six minutes when Diop headed home.

PSG increased the pressure before the interval but failed to muster a single shot on target.

Niko Kovac's side doubled their advantage six minutes into the second half when centre back Maripan fired home from inside the area after the PSG defence had failed to clear a cross.

Verratti came on for Ander Herrera in the 55th but the Italian had little influence.

"It's another missed opportunity in the title race. We need to understand that there are good teams in France, too. It's not just about the Champions League," Verratti said.

^ Back to Top ^