Held by a valiant Dijon display (1-1), AS Monaco had to settle for a point which sees them provisionally retake top spot in Ligue 1.

With a defensive set-up masterminded by Olivier Dall’Oglio, Dijon sought to contain the Monegasques from the outset… Playing five at the back with two defensive midfielders, the home side’s intentions were clear: take no risks.

CARRILLO, TOP GOALSCORER FOR AS MONACO

Leonardo Jardim opted for 4-4-2, with his players asked to press high up the pitch where the strike partnership of Carrillo and Germain looked to prevent Dijon from building attacks. The visitors were seeing more of the ball, and in the 23rd minute Fabinho and co’ had enjoyed almost 70% of the possession (68%). Carrillo duly turned that territorial dominance into an advantage on the scoreboard for Monaco, pouncing on a ball spilled by Reynet (17 mins). It was the Argentine’s sixth goal in his last seven Ligue 1 appearances, making him the club’s top goalscorer.

Captain Germain also went on a raid into the Dijon penalty area, but saw his curling strike saved (33 mins). The only scare for Suba was a wayward shot from Rüfli (37 mins). The first 45 minutes ended with the advantage to Leonardo Jardim’s men, who have now found te net in their last nine Ligue 1 matches.

DIJON EDGE THE SECOND HALF

After the restart, it was Dijon who took the attacking initiative and there was even a fine chance for Abdelhamid, but his effort flew over Suba’s crossbar. In the first change of the evening, Tiemoué Bakayoko replaced Valère Germain (58 mins), as Leonardo Jardim made a tactical adjustment for the final half-hour that saw Moutinho move forward in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The Burgundians were threatening from set pieces, but Loties’ looping header failed to trouble Subasic (71 mins).

But the home side kept up the pressure and found an equaliser through Sammaritano (86 mins) after good work from Diony, who laid on his fifth assist. The Dijon forward has been involved in nine of his side’s goals this season. Despite one last effort from Raggi that was punched clear by Reynet, the two sides were forced to settle for a draw (1-1). The point is enough to put AS Monaco back at the top of Ligue 1.

Source: www.asmonaco.com by @motaccard