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Fontvieille, Monaco (SportsNetwork.com) – Monaco stumbled out of the gate on Sunday as the principality club opened its Ligue 1 campaign with a shock 2-1 defeat to Lorient at the Stade Louis II.
Monaco was expected to challenge Paris Saint-Germain for the Ligue 1 crown last season after earning promotion, but the club struggled down the stretch and ultimately finished nine points behind PSG.
The club was hoping to make a winning start to the new campaign under new head coach Leonardo Jardim, but fell behind in front of the home crowd after just 10 minutes when Vincent Aboubakar converted a penalty kick to give Lorient the lead.
Things became more difficult for Monaco in the 68th minute when defender Ricardo Carvalho was shown a second yellow card and sent off, but the club found an equalizer through Radamel Falcao, who came on as a substitute to score a penalty kick.
But the visitors snuck away with all three points thanks to a goal from Valentin Lavigne three minutes from time.
Also in Ligue 1 on Sunday, Lyon got off to a winning start at the Stade de Gerland with a 2-0 victory over Rennes thanks to goals from Steed Malbranque and Alexander Lacazette.