Monaco have secured Ligue 1 survival despite failing to get the point they needed to guarantee safety on the final day, instead ending a dreadful season with a 2-0 defeat in Nice.
Leonardo Jardim’s men knew only an improbable set of results – defeat at Nice, victory for Caen and an eight-goal swing – could send them into a relegation play-off after last week’s vital home win over fellow strugglers Amiens.
Jardim had urged his side to keep their fate in their own hands, and Cesc Fàbregas hit the crossbar after 12 minutes – but Benoît Badiashile’s own goal left them relying on Bordeaux to put in a performance against Caen.
Mickaël Le Bihan doubled Nice’s lead after 67 minutes from the penalty spot, but Younousse Sankharé’s opener for Bordeaux proved enough to save last season’s runners-up and relegate Caen outright, along with Guingamp.
Dijon climbed above the Normandy side into 18th place after coming from behind to beat Toulouse, and will now face Ligue 2 side Lens in a two-legged promotion play-off.
