Monaco (AFP)

"Without giving up the desire to have possession, certain situations will change": one month after his arrival, Monegasque coach Robert Moreno is already putting his playing principles aside, and has only one goal, to chain a second victory at Amiens on Saturday (8 p.m.) during the 24th day of Ligue 1.

Moreno said it: he is "not Thierry Henry". Their footballing pasts are diametrically opposed. However, the two forties join their inexperience on the French benches at the time of their appointment in Monaco.

Like the French star in October 2018, Moreno, from his first press conferences, exposed very ambitious principles. "I want to introduce my game system, my automatisms, based on possession," he explained then. A team where all the players go, together, to attack and defend ".

"We must know how to disorganize our opponents by our attacks to recover the high ball with a block defense," he continued, adding that "with a lot of work", an identity would "reveal itself, and the team, progress" , and that "the objectives will be achieved in this way".

Often presented to the vice-president who recruited him, Oleg Petrov, like the new Pep Gardiola because of "training and video sessions similar to those of Barcelona", dixit Cesc Fabregas, Moreno was labeled even before his debut.

- "Not the same story" -

Under these conditions, and without necessarily consulting each other, the technicians of France often stand up. As if to show that they are as good as elsewhere.

Leonardo Jardim, who understood the importance of the corporation, had established very good relations with Christophe Galtier or Stéphane Moulin, even Didier Deschamps. But the Portuguese, who long quipped about "the Golden Trowel won in 2014 and 2015", first had to prove himself.

Before his first against Reims in the Cup (2-1), Moreno had praised the work of his counterpart David Guion. It was not enough. The expectations raised after 3-3 at the Park then served him.

Victorious in Monaco with Strasbourg (3-1), Thierry Laurey is proud to have "succeeded" with a system that is not often implemented. "Having to play the game is not the same story (as going to Paris, note)," he said, ironically.

Winner in the Coupe de France with the Greens (1-0), Claude Puel, formerly from the Principality, assumed: "We played low, well defended, conceded few chances. It was not easy for Monaco. "

Did Moreno and his principles go right into the wall? Alerted on the subject, Petrov spoke to his trainer as soon as the sinking in Nîmes (1-3). Pragmatic, Moreno corrected. Monaco beat Angers without glory (1-0). "After three losses, we needed to win, he said. It was voluntary to defend like this."

- "Start a series" -

Moulin, the Angevin coach, shouted at the "heist". "Incredible to see this team release in touch, he got carried away. In any case, it was not a team which had possession!"

Moreno smiled. "Welcome Robert Moreno to French football!", He replied. "We have been criticized for taking too many risks," he said. "I adapt to all situations! My philosophy is to win."

"Without giving up the desire to have possession, certain situations will change," he explains now. "There is a time when you have to defend. A team that wants to play Europe must know these types of situations."

Moreno backs up to move up the rankings. "It will be difficult in Amiens, he warns. The level of the championship is very homogeneous, with much less differences than in other countries. But by winning three consecutive matches, you go up."

Upon his arrival, Monaco, which deserved "a better ranking" according to Petrov, was 7th (28 points in 18 games) five points behind Rennes, third, and 10 from OM, second. Today, the team has dropped to 10th place, 8 units from Rennes, 14 from OM. Moreno must therefore absolutely "start a winning streak". Pragmatically or not ...

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