Monaco missed out on the chance to stretch their lead at the top of the French Ligue 1 on Saturday (10/04), following a 0-0 draw away at mid-table Lens. Didier Deschamps' side certainly looked like they were suffering a hangover from their remarkable UEFA Champions' League comeback against Real Madrid last Tuesday and in the end were fortunate not to have been beaten for the first time in eight league games. With Monaco's shock defeat of Real Madrid in midweek still fresh in the mind, Didier Deschamps' Ligue 1 leaders travelled to North-East France to take on a modest Lens outfit beaten last week by relegation strugglers Montpellier. Newfound statusMonaco's newfound status as potential champions of Europe seemed to weigh heavily, and they ought to have been soundly beaten by the home side. Monaco's Flavio Roma had already denied Olivier Thomert an opener with a sharp piece of goalkeeping when John Utaka's shot flashed across goal in the 21st minute. Lens could count themselves even more unfortunate on the hour when the excellent Daniel Moreira's shot beat Roma but not the post. Living dangerouslyMonaco were living dangerously and produced little in the way of attacking chances of their own. A goal surely had to come but with 15 minutes to go, Lens substitute Dagui Bakari's first-time effort was turned away by Roma and in the end, the match petered out to a tame draw. Monaco could lose their place at the top of the standings if rivals Oympique Lyonnais win at Racing Strasbourg in Sunday's later matches in the French top flight. (AP)
Monaco held to 0-0 draw at Lens
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