Takumi Minamino netted the only goal as Monaco defeated French Ligue 1 leaders and champions Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.
The 30-year-old playmaker fired his team into the lead from 15 meters out from Aleksandr Golovin’s cross in the 68th minute at Monaco’s Stade Louis II.
Minamino, who also scored midweek in the Champions League, took his Ligue 1 tally to three goals for the season.
Monaco snapped a run of three consecutive league defeats and climbed to sixth place on 23 points, seven back from PSG.
“It’s a big deal that we were able to beat Paris Saint-Germain, even though our team is struggling,” Minamino said. “This is more than just three points.”
Minamino’s starting opportunities have diminished with new manager Sebastien Pocognoli opting for a three-at-the-back formation, but the Samurai Blue veteran has made a strong case for inclusion after starting the last two matches and scoring in both.
“I wanted to make an impact,” Minamino said. “I went into the match determined to score a goal.”
The hosts had to finish with 10 men following Thilo Kehrer’s 80th-minute red card. French star Paul Pogba came off the bench late in his first home game for Monaco, and only his second match in more than two years, following a doping ban.
Credit: kyodonews.net
