PARIS (AP) - Radamel Falcao is quite his old self again, and Monaco’s attack is flourishing under his influence.
The striker bagged a second consecutive brace in the space of three days as the Principality side trashed struggling Nancy 6-0 on Saturday to reduce the gap to French league leader Nice to three points.
Falcao, who returned to Monaco after two disappointing seasons in the English Premier League at Manchester United and Chelsea, also scored twice midweek in a 3-0 win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League. His good performances have not gone unnoticed, as Falcao has earned a recall to the Colombia squad for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Argentina.
“We have been enjoying a fantastic week,” Falcao said. “I’m very happy with the four goals I scored, but even more because we won the two matches.”
After a thigh injury and a concussion slowed him down earlier this season, Falcao has improved his physical condition and was able to stay on the pitch for 71 minutes against Nancy. He has not managed a full 90 since last July.
“I’m feeling better every game,” Falcao said.
He headed home the opener in the 25th minute after a corner from Thomas Lemar hit the crossbar, and doubled his tally five minutes later from the penalty spot after Dabo Guidileye fouled Fabinho in the box.
Leonardo Jardim’s coaching then proved decisive as substitute Kylian Mbappe Lottin added another in the second half, and Guido Carrillo, who replaced Falcao, scored twice in the 87th and in added time, connecting with crosses from Benjamin Mendy and Mbappe Lottin. Fabinho scored from the spot following a foul on Corentin Jean.
The best attacking team in the league, Monaco has 36 goals in 12 league matches, the best tally in Europe’s top five leagues.
Leader Nice plays at Caen on Sunday, and third-place Paris Saint-Germain hosts Rennes.
Also, Alexandre Lacazette scored his 10th goal of the season as Lyon beat Bastia 2-1 to register back-to-back wins for the first time since August, and things did not improve for last-place Lorient, which lost in Bordeaux 2-1.
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