Monaco move to second spot

Monaco’s Fabio Coentrao (right), teammate Andrea Raggi (centre) and Sebastien Squillaci of Bastia go for a header in their French league match in Monaco on Tuesday. The hosts won 2-0. — AP

Monaco reasserted their grip on second place in Ligue 1 with a 2-0 victory over Bastia on Tuesday, while 10-man Marseille beat Montpellier 1-0 to stretch their unbeaten run to 11 matches.

Former Monaco defender Francois Modesto gifted the hosts the opening goal as he inadvertently turned a corner into his own net 10 minutes before half-time at the Stade Louis II.

Bernando Silva’s deflected strike on 73 minutes wrong-footed Bastia goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca as Monaco registered a third win in four attempts to move five points clear of third-place Angers.

Brazilian striker Vagner Love made his first start for Monaco following his January move from Corinthians, completing 75 minutes before he was replaced by Argentine Guido Carrillo.

“The team played well, we controlled our opponents, created a handful of good chances and scored twice. We did lots of good things,” said Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim, who was pleased with his side’s response after a chastening 3-0 defeat at Angers on Saturday.

Marseille have relied on their superb away form in their bid to challenge for a Champions League place, and it was no different at the Stade de la Mosson.

The visitors were without their star player leading scorer Michy Batshuayi through suspension, while Scotland international Steven Fletcher was not registered in time following his surprise arrival from Sunderland.