AS Monaco roll into Friday’s clash at Paris FC on a seven‑match winning streak in Ligue 1, which has propelled them to just a point off third, but manager Sébastien Pocognoli has warned his players that only full focus will do if they want to capitalise on their chance to move into the top three.
Focus
Having beaten heavy hitters Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique de Marseille in their last two fixtures, the astute tactician reinforced the need for his team to lock in ahead of this crucial contest vs Paris FC, who will provide a stern test for Les Monegasques.
“We’re still in the game of making up for lost points from the first leg, and this match against Paris FC gives us that opportunity. The home defeat marked the beginning of a difficult period, so we’re eager to turn things around. Now we know where we stand, facing a team that will secure their place in the league quickly by picking up points. The match took place three days after the Nantes game, and we weren’t able to maintain our fitness. We didn’t play with enough intensity, and from that point on, we slumped and entered a difficult period,” he explained.
“They haven’t lost in a long time and are managed by a coach who operates within a clear and solid structure. We’ll need to be prepared to handle these kinds of situations away from home because it won’t be an easy match. I’m not worried about a lapse in concentration, but we’ll need to keep raising our level of play to continue this impressive run.”
Fine form
With Monaco flying high and not only won seven in a row but also gone ten games without defeat in league action, Pocognoli’s take on their blistering form was packed with insight.
“I’m proud of this current run; that wasn’t the case a few weeks ago. We’re taking what we can get, but we need to maintain a healthy balance compared to our previous performances and remember that all these results are hard-earned. This success doesn’t stem solely from our technical and physical abilities; it’s also mental, an aspect I need to keep a close eye on,” he told the media.
“It’s possible to win against anyone, but we have to stay grounded. There are certainly many points separating us from PFC, but it will be very difficult. I’m therefore curious to see how we approach this match mentally; it will be a good response to what we’ve done in recent weeks.”
Hrádecký
The next topic on the agenda was experienced goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký, who brings so much to the table between the posts, as Pocognoli spoke highly of the man who was superb vs Marseille in their most recent triumph.
“I never doubted him, just as I never doubted Philipp (Köhn). I wanted to acknowledge his work because it’s never easy to be a substitute twice and then go back to the bench, but he’s handling it very well. As for Lukáš, he brings experience. We’re almost the same age, so we have the same level of understanding regarding football and life in general,” said the Belgian.
“He’s a great liaison because he keeps the team grounded and often provides a voice of reason, all while remaining introverted yet radiating natural leadership. He’s very important to us, not only for his skills but also for his personality. He’s a quiet leader; he speaks up at the right time and doesn’t need to overdo it to get his message across.”
Pogba
Discussion inevitably moved to Paul Pogba, and Pocognoli made a point of mentioning his influence on the dressing room and gave an update on the former World Cup winner, stating: “It’s rather simplistic to only talk about his role in the locker room, as he’s at training every day and continues to improve. We hope he’ll contribute on the pitch, but we have to wait for the right moment. He’s had another very good week of training; he’s progressing in every aspect, which is very positive. Against Marseille, he was supportive of his teammates and fulfilled that role well. That’s precisely why we have a group of captains.”
Dier
There were also some words on Eric Dier from Pocognoli, and his comments made for intriguing reading on the Englishman’s season that hasn’t gone completely as hoped.
“He’s having a frustrating season, both for him and for me, because he hasn’t had much playing time under my management. Right now, he’s happy to be able to train in optimal conditions in terms of intensity and consistency. Eric is a fierce competitor; his career speaks for itself. So I can imagine there’s frustration because every player wants to play, but he’s clear-sighted about the current situation and the importance of being patient and continuing to train. In every situation, there’s a right attitude to adopt, and if he’s frustrated, we don’t see it negatively because he’s committed in training and guides his teammates. He’s ready to contribute his skills at the end of the season,” Pocognoli reflected.
Ready to rumble
With the talking done, the spotlight shifts to Monaco’s bid to make it eight straight against Paris FC and keep their momentum going.
