PARIS, 16 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – AS Monaco moved up to third place in Ligue 1 on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Angers, while Lille endured a disappointing defeat at Nantes just days after their Champions League elimination.
Danish forward Mika Biereth continued his prolific form, netting his 11th goal in nine matches to give Monaco the lead late in the second half. The win was sealed when Maghnes Akliouche calmly converted a penalty, ensuring a valuable three points for Adi Hütter’s side.
With this result, Monaco edged ahead of Nice on goal difference, securing an automatic Champions League qualification spot. Meanwhile, Lille’s struggles deepened as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Nantes, failing to recover from their midweek Champions League exit at the hands of Borussia Dortmund.
Nantes secured victory through a powerful header from Mostafa Mohamed seven minutes from time, earning just their sixth league win of the season. The result provided a much-needed boost, lifting them six points clear of the relegation zone.
Lille now find themselves three points behind Monaco and Nice, who were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Auxerre on Friday after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser.
Elsewhere, Wesley Saïd’s solitary goal was enough for Lens to claim a 1-0 win over Rennes, keeping their European qualification hopes alive.
Meanwhile, league leaders Paris Saint-Germain have the opportunity to extend their advantage to 19 points with a win over bitter rivals Marseille at the Parc des Princes on Sunday. Such a result could put PSG on course to secure the Ligue 1 title before the end of March.
Historically, PSG have dominated this fixture, losing just once to Marseille in their last 25 Ligue 1 meetings since 2011.
Context: Monaco’s rise to third place strengthens their hopes of returning to Europe’s elite competition, while Lille’s domestic struggles reflect a common post-Champions League slump. Nantes’ victory, on the other hand, offers a crucial lifeline in their bid for top-flight survival. With PSG cruising at the top, the race for European spots remains highly competitive in the final stretch of the season.
