Espérance got back to winning ways in the league this afternoon, beating US Monastir 1-0 at the Radès Stadium in their rescheduled Matchday 7 fixture. It was a hard-fought contest, full of physical battles but short on clear-cut chances. Imad Faraj scored the only goal of the game early in the second half, finishing off a well-worked move.

The first half was played at a high intensity, with plenty of physical challenges. Espérance tried to take control, but found it difficult to break down a well-organised Monastir side, who were also willing to press high and disrupt the Blood and Gold's build-up play. There were some decent passages of play from both teams, but most of the action remained concentrated in midfield. Both defences held firm, leaving the goalkeepers with very little to do.

As half-time approached, the visitors threatened on the counter. In the 45th+1 minute, Mazen Slama found himself with a shooting opportunity, but his effort went wide. Espérance responded a few minutes later with a quick break of their own. Lucas Ribeiro released Youcef Belaïli down the right, but the latter failed to deliver an accurate cross towards Imad Faraj, and a promising opportunity went begging. The teams went into the break level at 0-0 after a competitive first half, in which too many technical errors prevented either side from creating much of a threat.

Espérance came out with a different approach after the break. More aggressive and quicker in their movements, Pablo Franco's men immediately put their opponents under pressure. Set-pieces began to pile up, and the Blood and Gold gradually pushed Monastir deeper into their own half. Their persistence eventually paid off.

In the 55th minute, a well-worked move led to the opening goal. Mohamed Belhadj-Mahmoud found Hazem Mastouri, who laid the ball off for Imad Faraj. His first attempt was saved by the goalkeeper, but Faraj reacted quickly, followed up and fired home at the second attempt. Espérance were in front at last (1-0). The goal was then checked by VAR for a possible offside, before eventually being given.

US Monastir tried to respond after falling behind. In the 63rd minute, Raed Bouchniba failed to make the most of a promising counter-attacking opportunity. Five minutes later, he found himself in another dangerous position at the end of a quick break. This time, his powerful effort was brilliantly kept out by Béchir Ben Saïd, who produced a fine diving save.

The game became increasingly stop-start from that point onwards, with several interruptions, including VAR checks on disputed incidents. The rhythm inevitably suffered. Espérance, meanwhile, managed their lead without taking unnecessary risks, while remaining alert to any threat from the visitors. Deep into stoppage time, one final free-kick from US Monastir came to nothing.

The final whistle confirmed an important win for the Blood and Gold. It was not a spectacular performance, but Espérance knew when to make the difference. A much stronger start to the second half and greater presence in the opposition's half proved decisive. In a physically demanding contest, where battles often took precedence over football and clear-cut chances were few and far between, the most important thing was to take all three points.

The victory allows Pablo Franco's men to head into the upcoming international break with greater peace of mind and continue their work in good conditions. Not a night of spectacular football, perhaps, but one in which Espérance showed patience and took their chance when it mattered.

Well done, Blood and Gold!

EST Lineup: Ben Saïd, Dräger, Jelassi, Chikhaoui, Elaifi, Castillo, Ribeiro (Hadj-Ali 83'), Belhadj-Mahmoud (Rafia 83'), Faraj, Belaïli(c) (Konaté 73') and Mastouri (Jabri 90').
Booked: Belhadj-Mahmoud, Dräger.