PSG-Monaco

Havana, February 12 (RHC)-- Monaco dominated Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) 3-1 today with a brace from Wissam Ben Yedder, a club that looked out of ideas and very vulnerable just three days before their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

At a delirious Stade Louis II, the home side fired a dozen shots on target, compared to just two for the Ligue 1 leaders, who were without stars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé. The capital side went down for the second consecutive match, following their elimination on Wednesday in the French Cup by Olympique de Marseille.

Already in the 18th minute, the Monegasques were leading 2-0, thanks to goals from Russian Alexander Golovin and the first from Ben Yedder, but Warren Zaire-Emery gave hope back to the visitors in the 39th minute, but only just, for the second goal of Ben Yedder, who reached 14 in the tournament, leading along with Folarin Balogun (Reims).

With the win on matchday 23, Monaco moved second in the table with 47 points, seven less than their victim this afternoon.

PSG's defeat has set off even more alarm bells ahead of the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 (February 14) against the mighty Bavarians at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

According to coach Christophe Galtier, Messi should return to training on Monday ahead of the clash against Bayern, but Mbappé is unlikely to be called up due to injury, while the other tip of the galactic trident, Brazilian Neymar, has shown shaky play in his last few outings on the pitch.

We will have to improve a lot for Tuesday, admitted Paris goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after the setback.

Meanwhile, Marseille will have the chance to regain the runner-up spot in Ligue 1 and close to within five points of PSG by beating 11th-placed Clermont.