AS Monaco and Saint-Etienne have headed into half time level following a goalless first half at Stade Louis II in Ligue 1.
The visitors made a bright start to the match, forcing an early free kick following a Lacina Traore hand ball, but Kevin Malcuit saw his finish blocked while trying to blast the ball in from Romain Hamouma's delivery.
Hamouma continued to stretch the Monaco defenders in the opening 15 minutes, slipping between two of the home side's players before finding himself in an offside position, while setting up Kevin Monnet-Paquet with a cross moments later, but Saint-Etienne were unable to find an early goal.
The hosts started to see more of the ball as the first half progressed, and came close to breaking the deadlock when Nabil Dirar squared the ball to Helder Costa in the box, but the midfielder's powerful strike came back off the crossbar.
Monaco were in again shortly before half time as Uwa Elderson Echiejile picked out Joao Moutinho with a long ball forward, but the winger's first-time hit from just outside the box was tipped behind by Stephane Ruffier.
Thomas Lemar delivered the ball to the head of Echiejile from the resulting corner, but the defender's finish was high and wide, ensuring that the sides headed into the break level.
Sian Cowper
