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Monaco’s UEFA Cup resurrection continued in the Czech Republic on Wednesday as two Toifilou Maoulida goals accounted for Slavia Prague.
Francesco Guidolin’s side were not at full strength but nonetheless dominated proceedings, scoring a goal in each half and monopolising possession for long periods. It is their second UEFA Cup success in six days following last Thursday’s win over Hamburg, and propels them to the top of the Group A standings with six points from three games.
Against a Slavia side that started the evening second in the section with four points, Monaco quickly asserted themselves and went ahead on 11 minutes. Maoulida, playing in his preferred central attacking role alongside youngster Nicolas Maurice-Belay, latched onto a Patrice Evra pass and fired a low shot past home goalkeeper Kozacik.
Lucas Bernardi and Diego Perez had a stranglehold on the midfield, while Jaroslav Plasil was also in lively form on his return to his homeland. Guillaume Warmuz was enjoying a quiet night in the Monaco goal, though the experienced custodian did have to produce a sharp save to deny Pitak shortly after the hour mark.
That was to prove a turning point of the tie as, 10 minutes later, Monaco wrapped up the win with a second goal. Again it was Maoulida, this time the former Rennes forward anticipating Maurice-Belay's clever pass and rifling home left-footed.
The opening-day defeat away to Viking Stavanger is now a distant memory as the Monégasques home in on a place in the last 32.
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