Monaco, with a great Ben Yedder, extinguishes Lens
Lens-Monaco 2-4
Lens : Said (44and), Kalimuendo (53and)
monaco : Ben Yedder (18th, 88th), Jean Lucas (27thand), Diop (29and)
The first 10 minutes could suggest that Monaco was going to suffer, Lens pressing high from the start and ASM’s usual number 3 goalkeeper Vito Mannone coming out with two good saves in front of Fofana (5and) and Kakuta (9and). But the Monegasques did indeed let the storm pass and showed cold realism with 3 goals in 3 actions. Captain Ben Yedder thus opened the scoring with a fine header from a cross from Caio Henrique (0-1, 18and), before launching two great actions concluded by Jean Lucas (0-2, 27and) and Diop (0-3, 29and). So many sledgehammers for a disconcerted Lensoise team.
Ben Yedder to finish
But Wesley Said’s goal before half-time (1-3, 45and) gave some hope to the transfigured Blood and Gold after the break. Newcomer, Kalimuendo even reduced the gap on a good shot from the left (2-3, 53and) and capsized Bollaërt, very close to exploding on several other dangerous situations aborted by a great Vito Mannone (61and70and74and). With courage, Monaco held on and even flew away on a last goal from the elusive Ben Yedder (2-4, 88and). 2and consecutive quarter-final in the Coupe de France for ASM.