Monaco move back into third place with 1-0 win over Rennes

Updated: Apr 7, 2024, 01:25 pm
Maghnes Akliouche scored the only goal of the game for Monaco.
Getty

AS Monaco extended their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to six games with a 1-0 win over Rennes at the Stade Louis II on Sunday and moved back into third place thanks to Maghnes Akliouche's goal.

Monaco have 52 points, one behind Brest whose 4-3 win over Metz earlier on Sunday closed the gap on leaders Paris St Germain to 10 points after the top side were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom club Clermont on Saturday. Lille are fourth on 49.

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The first half was full of attacking promise from both sides but the only goal came in the 25th minute when Ismail Jakobs pulled the ball back towards the penalty spot to Akliouche, whose shot found the bottom corner.

The opening minute after the break brought a red card for Rennes forward Martin Terrier for a dangerous foul on Akliouche, but less than 20 minutes later Monaco also went down to 10 men when Thilo Kehrer was shown his second yellow card.

The visitors had chances to level the game, with Monaco keeper Radoslaw Majecki pulling off a fine save at full stretch from Ludovic Blas, and the home side held on to take all three points.

Rennes are ninth on 39 points after their second consecutive league loss, in a week which also brought defeat in the Coupe de France semi-final when they lost 1-0 at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.