AS Monaco have dominated the first 45 minutes against Montpellier HSC but the two teams remain goalless at Stade de la Mosson.
Montpellier created the opening chance of the game through Kevin Berigaud but his shot from long range just cleared the crossbar.
However, it didn't take long for last season's runners-up to find their stride, and after Joao Moutinho had seen his header clawed out by Geoffrey Jourdren, Bernardo Silva sent a shot straight at the Montpellier stopper from 14 yards out.
Monaco were causing their hosts all kinds of problems, and Moutinho wasted another opening after he had been found in the penalty area by Layvin Kurzawa.
Silva was in the action once again but arrowed his shot too close to Jourden before Montpellier finally offered a response through Anthony Mounier with nine minutes left before the break, but his attempt went over.
Darren Plant
