Monaco 1-1 Nantes: Kovac's men frustrated in Ligue 1 opener

Monaco 1-1 Nantes: Niko Kovac’s men frustrated in Ligue 1 opener despite early strike by Gelson Martins as Jean-Charles Castelletto’s deft header claims precious point for visitors

  • Monaco went ahead with a 14th minute strike by Gelson Martins
  • Caio Henrique’s cross from the left was swept in at the far post by the winger 
  • Jean-Charles Castelletto headed in off a corner to equalise just before half-time

Portuguese winger Gelson Martins scored the first goal of the Ligue 1 season for Monaco on Friday but the home side made a laboured start to their campaign as they were held 1-1 by Nantes.

Dutch striker Myron Boadu could have put Monaco ahead in the eighth minute on his debut but his shot from an angle was well wide, with only the goalkeeper to beat, and he was substituted off on the hour.

Martins broke the ice six minutes later at full stretch from a fine Caio Henrique pass.

Monaco went ahead with an early strike by winger Gelson Martins on Friday night

Caio Henrique’s cross from the left was swept in at the far post by Gelson Martins

MONACO (4-4-2): Nubel, Aguilar, Disasi, Badiashile, Henrique (Jakobs 72), Tchouameni, Lucas (Sidibe 82), Martins (Fofana 72), Diop, Volland (Golovin 59), Boadu (Yedder 59)

NANTES (4-5-1): Lafont, Appiah, Pallois, Fabio (Traore 84). Pereira de Sa (Corchia 63), Girotto, Moutoussamy, Castelletto, Blas (Emond 79), Simon, Kolo Muani (Coco 79)

With Prince Albert among the sparse crowd as fans returned to the Louis II stadium after a season played largely behind closed doors, Monaco looked in control until Jean-Charles Castelletto headed in off a corner in the 42nd.

Monaco were third overall last season under Croatian coach Niko Kovac but showed little swagger in the second half until a flurry of action in the final minutes as the tempo slowed and the visitors held firm for a deserved point.

Surprise champions Lille start their season at Metz on Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s Paris St Germain kick off their title bid at Troyes on Saturday after a summer rebuild and new arrivals including Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos. 

Nantes equalised just before half-time with a header from defender Jean-Charles Castelletto

Monaco made a laboured start to their Ligue 1 campaign on Friday night




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