Monaco’s inconsistency remains, as they were defeated by a strong-willed Sochaux in the east of France.
For the opening 15 minutes, it seemed that Monaco would take firm control of this tie, but aside from an effort from Park Chu-Young, they never really threatened the home goal. As soon as Sochaux took a grip on the match, a flurry of dangers occasions arose, with Marvin Martin’s shot wide a signal of intent.
Only moments later Charlie Davies would be fouled in the box by Sebastien Puygrenier, and Vaclav Sverkos made no mistake from the spot.
The pressure on Sebastien Ruffier’s goal remained intense, with a Ryad Boudebouz shot hitting the bar before Puygrenier almost put through his own goal. In this same ten minute spell, Sverkos went very close to finding the target after good work out wide from Davies, with only a brief respite coming for the guests by way of a Frederic Nimani shot well saved by Teddy Richert.
No change was to come in the pattern of play in the second half, with Davies setting the tone with a dangerous drive early on before Nicolas Maurice-Belay went close.
The dominance that les Lionceaux held gradually faded as the match wore on, though, a Nene shot aside, Monaco posed little threat. In the last but one minute of the match, Nene again took aim, but although his effort was caught well, it fizzed over the top of the goal.
Aside from a late flurry of corners, this was the last real chance, meaning les Monegasques have the long road home to reflect on defeat.