Monaco has secured its place in the top three after beating Lille 2-1 at Stade Louis II on Saturday night. The win was enough to consolidate Monaco's position in third place, while Lille's European hopes have been dealt a serious blow.
The match saw both sides playing for pride as they looked to secure their spots in Europe next season. Monaco took the lead through a goal from Benjamin Mendy in the first half, but Lille fought back with two goals in the second half to level the score.
However, Monaco's experience proved too much for Lille to handle, with Mendy scoring again late on to seal the victory for his side. The result means that Monaco will be able to finish the season in third place, while Lille's chances of qualifying for Europe next season have been severely dented.
Despite the loss, Lille manager Christophe Galtier remains optimistic about his team's future. "We played well today, but we lost," he said. "It is always difficult to lose in this league, especially against Monaco."
For Monaco, the victory was a significant boost ahead of the final round of fixtures. "This win is important for us because it puts us in a good position," said coach Leonardo Jardim. "But we still have to play some difficult matches, so we cannot get complacent."
Overall, it was a tough day for Lille, who had high hopes of securing a spot in Europe next season. However, their European hopes have now been dashed, while Monaco can continue to build momentum towards the end of the season.