Monaco Secures Podium Spot with Victory Over Angers

ANGERS, France — AS Monaco defeated Angers SCO 2-0 on March 15, 2025, thanks to a goal from Danish striker Mika Biereth in the 77th minute, propelling them into third place in Ligue 1.

The match, held on Saturday during the 26th round of fixtures, was crucial for Monaco, particularly after OGC Nice drew against AJ Auxerre 1-1 the previous day. Both teams now sit at 47 points, but Monaco leads due to a superior goal difference.

“We took our chances when they came, and it was important for us to capitalize on the opportunities presented by our rivals’ results,” said Monaco coach Adi Hütter. “The team showed character today and remained focused throughout.”

In addition to their victory, Monaco benefited from Lille OSC‘s defeat to FC Nantes, allowing them to establish a three-point cushion over fifth-place Lille. The team is now only two points behind Olympique de Marseille, who sit second with 49 points.

Monaco dominated much of the match, displaying offensive pressure early on. However, they struggled with execution in the first half, as key players Vanderson (2nd minute), Takumi Minamino (7th minute), and Moatasem Al-Musrati (30th minute) missed the target.

Angers fell back into a defensive strategy in an attempt to correct their previous poor performances, having conceded nine goals over their last three matches. Despite being under pressure, they managed a few counter-attacks, with the best chance coming from Himad Abdelli in stoppage time, whose curled shot hit the side netting.

The turning point for Monaco came with Biereth’s well-placed shot, benefiting from a defensive lapse by Angers. Celebrated for his recent form, Biereth netted his eighth goal of the season, establishing Monaco’s lead at 1-0.

Shortly thereafter, Maghnes Akliouche converted a penalty, sealing the win with a second goal in the 88th minute. This served as a cushion for Monaco, who maintained composure in the waning minutes of the match.

Angers remains 14th in the league, holding a five-point advantage over Reims, their closest rival in the relegation zone. The defeat was a minor setback for Angers, but players and coaching staff expressed frustration at missed scoring opportunities.

“We need to convert our chances if we hope to climb the standings,” said Angers captain Romain Thomas. “Today’s loss stings, especially when we had pockets of good play.”

With a challenging schedule ahead that includes encounters with Paris SG, Nice, Lille, and Lyon, Angers will need to regroup quickly. For Monaco, their next match after the international break is against Nice, a critical fixture as they aim to secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. Hütter expressed optimism for the coming matches, highlighting the team’s potential to achieve further success.