Lassine Sinayoko was the central figure as Paris FC beat AS Monaco 3-1 at Stade Jean-Bouin on Sunday in Ligue 1's ninth matchday. The Malian forward is now the league's top scorer with eight goals and ranks second for assists with five. His pressing led to the opening goal, which he scored in the 38th minute, and he doubled the lead in the 44th by beating Lukas Hradecky after getting past Eric Dier.
Sinayoko remained a constant problem for Monaco's defence. His work on the ball inside the area created space for Pablo Pagis to restore Paris FC's two-goal cushion at 3-1 in the 74th minute. He received an ovation when he was substituted in the 79th. Coach Liam Rosenior praised him, saying everyone would talk about the goals but that he had especially appreciated his attitude, effort and work for the team.
Pagis also drew attention for his performance. Nominally a No.10, he often drifted to the left and was repeatedly in the right place, with his one-touch play causing problems. A double sombrero shortly before half-time excited the Parisian supporters, and his late goal in the 74th minute rewarded his display. Nearly 19,000 spectators were at Jean-Bouin for the match.
The game marked Pierre Ferracci's final match as Paris FC president. Ferracci had held the role since 2012 and joined the club in 2006 as an administrator, when it was barely in the National, the third division. Before kick-off, players and the technical staff formed a guard of honour, a tribute video was shown and a large banner reading “Merci président” was displayed in the stands. The same message appeared on advertising boards during the opening minutes, which Ferracci spent among the Ultras Lutetias, standing with dozens of shirtless supporters who sang and danced in his honour. A second, smaller banner was displayed at the end of the match.
Ferracci will hand over to Antoine Arnault next week. The club said the transition marked the culmination of a deep transformation and opened a new stage in its development, with the shared ambition of establishing Paris FC durably among French football's major institutions.
For Monaco, Matthis Abline endured a difficult evening. He and Paris Brunner had rarely shared the pitch this season, and Abline, deployed on the left of a 4-2-3-1, touched the ball only nine times in the first half. He moved to the right after the break but remained ineffective; one of his two shots, in the 53rd minute, was blocked by Otavio, who then punched the air in celebration while Abline looked dejected.
Monaco's defence struggled badly. The team had conceded only two in-play goals in Ligue 1 this season, the lowest total in Europe's five major leagues, but conceded three against Paris FC. The home side had 19 shots, 10 on target and hit the woodwork twice. Eric Dier, back after a four-match absence, was exposed in covering depth for Paris FC's second goal, while Sadibou Sané lost the ball too easily before the opener. Vanderson also had difficulty containing Moses Simon in one-on-one situations. Just before the final whistle, Christian Mawissa kicked a water bottle near Monaco's goal, a symbol of a painful evening for the visiting side.
Sources: Le Figaro.