Monaco 2 - 1 Marseille: Monaco get back to winning ways to increase misery for Marseille

Posted Monday, April 18, 2016 by PA

Monaco moved back into second place in Ligue 1 as they returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over out-of-form Marseille at the Stade Louis II.

Second-half goals from Bernardo Silva and Andrea Raggi put the hosts in control before Michy Batshuayi grabbed a late consolation.

Leonardo Jardim's men had lost their previous two league matches, beaten 4-1 at Lille last weekend, to slip behind Lyon in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Marseille, meanwhile, started the match without a league win since February 2 and just six points ahead of the relegation zone as the pressure mounted on manager Michel.

The visitors, whose fans were not allowed into the Principality by ministerial decree amid fears of public disorder, looked dangerous on the break early on.

Argentinian winger Lucas Ocampos, playing against his old club, shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Monaco, though, slowly started to control possession, and on 22 minutes Lacina Traore stabbed the ball in at the far post following Nabil Dirar's cross-shot from the right, but the goal was ruled out by an offside flag.

The deadlock was eventually broken at the start of the second half.

Portugal midfielder Bernardo helped win possession midway in the Marseille half before driving towards the right side of the penalty area and curling a fine low shot past Steve Mandanda into the bottom left corner on 47 minutes.

Helder Costa sliced a good chance wide before, with 15 minutes left, defender Raggi lashed the ball in after it was flicked on at a corner.

Marseille netted a consolation in stoppage time through Batshuayi, who converted a through-ball from substitute Steven Fletcher.