Paris Saint-Germain missed the chance to widen the gap at the top of Ligue 1 after going down 3-1 to AS Monaco on Saturday evening.
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe missed out for PSG through injury, while Achraf Hakimi, Sergio Ramos and Nuno Mendes were named on the bench following the French cup exit to Marseille.
Monaco drew first blood on four minutes after Aleksandr Golovin pounced on Wassim Ben Yedder’s lofted ball in behind following a throw-in and stroke past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Ben Yedder looked to give his side a second with a smart header from a curling delivery by Youssouf Fofana, but Donnarumma guided the attempt away.
The Moroccan did find the net midway inside the first half after he connected with Krepin Diatta’s through pass and stabbed beyond Donnarumma.
PSG pulled one back six minutes ahead of halftime when Warren Zaire-Emery pooped up unmarked at the back-post and executed Juan Bernat’s floated ball beyond goalkeeper Alexander Nubel.
Nonetheless, the host nabbed a third on the stroke of halftime after Ben Yedder staved off a challenge in the area and thumped in off the inside of the far post -giving Donnarumma no chance.
A substitution from the visitors after the break had them bring on the veteran Ramos for the young El Chadaile Bitshiabu in the defensive compartment.
PSG’s troubles didn’t stop during the opening quarter of the resumption and almost conceded a fourth through Ben Yedder’s flying header from Caio Henrique’s ball, but Donnarumma parried.
The Red and Whites continued to push forward and very nearly bagged a fourth off Golovin’s move left of the area, but Ramos showed experience and thwarted the Russian.
However, the drama weren’t over as substitute Takumi Minamino applied a first-time shot from Breel Embolo’s supply though it missed target and saw Monaco claim victory.
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