A disillusionment. Two weeks ago, AS Monaco was a legitimate contender for the podium, as were Olympique de Marseille and RC Lens. From now on, the club of the Rock must first and foremost look behind him. The fault to two disappointments in the last two days, respectively against the Blood and Gold (3-0) - a heavy setback understandable, in any case more than the second - and against Montpellier Hérault SC (0-4).
To discover
- Ligue 1 schedule and results
- Ligue 1 standings
Fourth place under threat
Worse than the results during these (large) setbacks, it is the impression given by the Monegasque team that has raised serious concerns. Amorphous, she appeared completely disinterested, especially at the Stade Louis-II against MHSC. "We said it was unacceptable the way we lost against Montpellier. We can not lower our heads as we did in the second half, "regretted Philippe Clément, this Friday, in a press conference.
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The consequences of this bad patch could be disastrous for the formation of the Principality. In addition to having seen its podium hopes fly away, its fourth place in the standings, synonymous with qualification for the next edition of the Europa League, is now threatened by LOSC and Stade Rennais, who were respectively two and five points behind before the start of the 34th matchday of Ligue 1. Thus, to hope to play during the week next season, Wissam Ben Yedder and his teammates no longer have the right to make mistakes. "The initial goal of the team was to qualify for the European Cup and we arestill in the race to achieve that, although it is more complicated at the moment," Vanderson told reporters on Friday.
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Towards a new breath?
To remobilize his team, Philippe Clément tried to create a new dynamic at the beginning of the week. And he seems ready to change his method of selection. At least that's what he explained: "On Monday, I told the players it was day 0. I am very attentive to the sessions and the players who are physically and mentally available for the match against Angers this weekend. My eleven will not depend on the names, the statutes, but the players who are ready, "says the Belgian coach, who is announced on the hot seat. The players, for their part, tried to strengthen their ties by organizing a dinner "all together". "There was an awakening with a change in mindset and attitude," Vanderson says.
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One thing is certain, Angers SCO is the ideal opponent for AS Monaco currently. Indeed, the club of Maine-et-Loire, good last in Ligue 1, is assured of being relegated to the second division; So he has nothing left to lose. But it is also for this reason that we must be wary of it. "Angers has no pressure now," said Philippe Clément. Before adding: "We must stay in our structure, to gain confidence for the coming weeks." Especially since the calendar of the Monegasques at the end of the year promises to be difficult with two posters against their direct competitors in the race for the C3 - against LOSC at home (35th day) and Stade Rennais away (37th day) -, a trip to the lawn of Olympique Lyonnais (36th day) and to finish the reception of a euphoric Toulouse FC after its success in the Coupe de France. Suffice to say that this Sunday (13:00), the ASM must absolutely win against Angers.