Lille and Monaco have both had their ups and downs this season, but on Saturday night, the French champions were left to rue a late defeat at home to Lille.
The result was not just a blow for Lille, who had been in good form recently, but also a setback for Monaco, who had already secured their place in the Champions League knockout stages with a win against Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the week.
Monaco had dominated the game from the start, creating numerous chances before Lille finally broke through in the 87th minute when Yussuf Poulsen headed in from close range.
However, it was too little too late for Monaco, who could only watch as Lille celebrated their first victory over their rivals since the 2015-16 season.
While the result may have been disappointing for Monaco, there were some positives to take away from the match. The team showed resilience and determination throughout, and manager Vahid Halilhodzic praised his players' efforts after the game.
"We fought until the end," he said. "We didn't give up, even though we lost. It's important to keep fighting and to keep working hard."
For Lille, however, the result was a reminder that they will need to be at their best if they want to make a serious challenge for the title. With games coming thick and fast in the final few months of the season, every point is crucial.
In contrast, Monaco can now focus on their Champions League campaign, which begins next week. They will face Atletico Madrid in the round of 16, and with a strong performance and some key individual performances, they will be confident of progressing further into the competition.
Overall, while Saturday's loss was a disappointment for both teams, it was a reminder of the tough challenges ahead in what promises to be a busy and competitive final stretch of the season.