Result: Paris Saint-Germain 0-2 AS Monaco
Date: 21 February 2021
Venue: Parc di Princes
Paris Saint-Germain missed the chance to move second on the Ligue 1 table after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Monaco on Sunday night.
PSG made only one change from the 4-1 demolition of Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, as Ander Herrera replaced Marco Verratti in midfield while Neymar and Angel Di Maria were still out injured.
Monaco had a perfect start as Sofiane Diop gave them the lead in the sixth minute with a close-range header after a headed pass by Ruben Aguilar from a deep cross.
PSG took time to get into the game and they came close to levelling matters ten minutes before the break after Idrissa Gueye unleashed a strike from range that missed the far post just wide.
Mauricio Pochettino's charges were struggling to break down Monaco in the closing phase of the first stanza, not threatening shot-stopper Benjamin Lecomte and Niko Kovac's men went to the break leading by an odd goal.
The visitors were forceful coming from the break and they doubled their lead six minutes inside the second stanza after Guillermo Maripan latched onto a loose ball inside the box and fired a strike past goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Kevin Volland had a big chance to make it 3-0 for Monaco on the hour-mark after receiving a cross unmarked inside the box but he guided his header wide.
The Parisians had a penalty appeal in the last 20 minutes after Rafinha went down from a challenge inside the box but after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, no penalty was given.
PSG were fashioning chances in the closing stages but they lacked the finishing touches as Kovac's men held on to a 2-0 win, leaving PSG four points behind leaders Lille.
