DECRYPTION – Catastrophic in Ligue 1, AS Monaco challenges Kylian Mbappé’s Real, this Tuesday (9 p.m.), at the Santiago-Bernabéu, on the occasion of the 7th day of the Champions League.
Red alert on the Rock. Dominated by promoted Lorient (1-3), Friday at Louis-II, AS Monaco is going through a dark period in Ligue 1. Six defeats in the last seven championship matches (only one victory against… PSG, on November 29), 16 goals conceded over the period, a cascade of injuries… Nothing is going well for the Principality club, now relegated to 10th place. Very far, too far from its initial European ambitions.
So, this Tuesday (9 p.m.), can the Champions League, which has a trip to Real Madrid in store for him, act as a remedy? A historic victory at the Santiago Bernabéu, against Kylian Mbappé’s team – also ill – would at least ensure qualification for the play-offs for the Monegasques. But what are the reasons for hope for a collective in total decline?
Skip the ad
ASM weighed down by its summer transfer window
The defeat against Merlus Lorient, the latest debacle to date, highlighted all of Monaco’s ills this season. Offensive players including Maghnes Akliouche – who hopes to play in the World Cup with the Blues – no longer have any inspiration. Handicapped by repeated red cards (Zakaria, Coulibaly, Idumbo…), the midfielder lacks stability while the defensive animation is unworthy of a club of this standing. Direct consequences of a completely failed summer transfer window.
Last summer, the general director of ASM, Thiago Scuro, with limited resources, attempted coups by attracting high-sounding CVs on the market: Paul Pogba, Ansu Fati and Eric Dier. Losing bets. Former central defender of Tottenham and Bayern Munich, the Englishman Dier symbolizes the fragility of the Monegasque rearguard, which saw the Belgian Wout Faes arrive on loan from Leicester a few days ago. Aligned from the start against Lorient, the first recruit of the winter immediately showed his limits and is not qualified to play at the end of the Champions League league phase. This is bad news, especially since Christian Mawissa and Mohamed Salisu are injured in the same position.
Also read
Champions League: have “the right mentality”, demands Monegasque Tilo Kehrer before facing Real Madrid
Paul Pogba in an endless tunnel
These absences are therefore added to that of Pogba, a real mirage since his arrival with great fanfare to relaunch at the age of 32 after his long suspension for doping. In six months of competition, the 2018 world champion only played 30 minutes in Ligue 1 (against Rennes, Paris and Brest). And the physical problems accumulate during training. “The plan put in place since Paul’s arrival is not working as plannedrecognized Thiago Scuro last week, heckled by angry ASM supporters. This plan changes depending on the situations we face. It’s nothing very serious. But these small injuries in different parts of the body make the process complex. Everyone is working hard to find solutions for him, the club and him. We continue to push to give him what was agreed upon upon his arrival. We must continue to carry out this plan, even if it has become longer. Paul, too, believes in himself and has confidence in his ability to rebuild himself.»
At the moment, there was no Pogba effect in Monaco. For “La Pioche”, the dream of the American World Cup is disappearing as the days go by while the ASM is unable to hide this failure, as there are so many problems nearby. In the midst of the slump, coach Sébastien Pocognoli (38), who replaced Adi Hütter on the Monaco bench at the beginning of October, cannot find solutions. To the point of already being threatened? “We are judged on the results but I will also be judged by the management of this difficult periodassumed the Belgian coach on Friday. It requires certain qualities. We will have to continue to mobilize the troops and certainly the mental aspect.»
Disappointed with a Monaco “not brave enough“, Pocognoli however assures that he will “continue to push and support [ses] players even if we expect more from some. But giving up would not be a solution.» If everything is to be thrown away in Ligue 1, ASM remains in the race to shine in the Coupe de France (round of 16 to be played in Strasbourg) and in the Champions League, where it will still have to host Juventus Turin at Louis-II (January 28) after Real Madrid. “We have more than an interest, on a collective but also individual level, in being at the level“, warned Pocognoli before returning to the C1. Message sent to his entire group which once again includes Ansu Fati, a “smiling, invested boy” and a “important player if he is physically ready”, according to his coach.
Skip the ad
Hope in Ansu Fati’s feet?
The club’s top scorer this season (7 goals) and decisive against Lorient, the former Barça prodigy had not played since… the success against PSG, due to a hamstring injury. So far, the Spanish striker has not shown the full extent of his talent but he at least has the merit of scoring from time to time. Unlike the Dane Mika Biereth, who is going through an endless crisis of confidence. Like his entire team. In these conditions, and with a very reduced squad (goalkeeper Lukás Hrádecký and Takumi Minamino are also injured in the knee), it is difficult to believe in the Monegasque feat on Madrid soil. But the house is also burning in Madrid… Who will bear the brunt of the crisis?
