PARIS (AP) — An apathetic version of Paris Saint-Germain succumbed on Sunday 3-0 to visit Monaco, whose striker Wissam Ben Yedder signed a double.
After the elimination of PSG in the round of 16 of the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid, the poor presentation of the French league leaders at Stade Louis II will not at all quell the anger of their ultras who have recently called for the departure of sporting director Leonardo and President Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
With nine dates to play, PSG maintains a 15-point lead at the top and is able to match Saint-Etienne's record of 10 titles in the French league. Monaco climbed to seventh place.
The capital as a whole accused the absence of Lionel Messi, who was ruled out for suffering from flu symptoms. Apart from the Argentine star, PSG also missed Sergio Ramos, Angel di María, Juan Bernat, Layvin Kurzawa and Ander Herrera.
As PSG pursuers seeking second place, Marseille and Nice later met at Stade Velodrome.
PSG dominated possession but nothing sharp in the attack and the local was ahead of 25 minutes when Youssouf Fofana overflowed right nowhere to put Ben Yedder a cross. With his back to the arch, the French striker spliced with the back of his foot to open the bill.
Monaco was able to go to halftime with a wider advantage, but it wasted a couple of good chances.
PSG's best came at 51 when Kylian Mbappé finished flawlessly after receiving a leaked pass from Neymar.
Kevin Volland entered for Gelson Martins and signed Monaco's second at 68, defining from close range after a good collective play.
Yedder made the final 3-0 six minutes before the end after Presnel Kimpembe brought down Volland. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was able to contain the striker's shot, but the football ended up nesting in the net.