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Delicious double delight for former Manchester United forward

Andrew Gibney
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Andrew Gibney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dimitar Berbatov continued his excellent form for AS Monaco by scoring two goal in his sides 4-1 win over AC Ajaccio.

Former Manchester United and Spurs forward Dimitar Berbatov continued his excellent form in Ligue 1 on Saturday, the centre-forward scored twice and set up another in the 4-1 win away against AC Ajaccio. The 33-year-old now has five league goals since joining in January.

Monaco had to win to keep the pressure on Paris Saint-Germain, anything but a win would have all but handed the Parisians the title. Ajaccio were relegated last weekend and have nothing but pride to play for.

The home side held strong and kept Monaco out during a tight first-half. It was only a matter of time though and Berbatov opened the scoring on the 53rd minute.

Monaco won a corner on the left, it was played short then back to Portuguese midfielder, Joao Moutinho, and his wonderful cross was met perfectly by the big Bulgarian. He didn’t have to leave the ground before guiding his header past Guillermo Ochoa.

The second came 15 minutes before the end. Emmanuel Rivière made a bursting run down the right and he cut it back for midfielder James Rodriguez. The Colombian timed the pass to perfection, finding the run of Berbatov. The forward was inches onside and completely unmarked inside the box, he seemed to pause for an age before passing it beyond Ochoa for his and Monaco’s second.

Just like he did against Paris Saint-Germain, the 33-year-old started on the bench for Monaco’s Last 16 clash against Nice at the Allianz Rivera. With the game deadlocked at 0-0, Berbatov replaced midfielder Mounir Obbadi on the 63rd minutes, but it wouldn’t be until the game reached Extra-Time before the former Tottenham Hotspur striker would make his mark.

Nice had been forced to play with 10-men for 70 minutes after a red card to left-back Timothee Kolodziejczak. Monaco pushed forward and the goal would come from the Nice left, Argentine winger, Lucas Ocampos gained some space, whipped in a dangerous low cross and Berbatov was quick to get in front of his marker, poking the ball past Mouez Hassen in the Nice net. It was the best or cleanest of finishes, but his movement got him beyond Romain Genevois, and his touch was enough to turn the ball into the net.