. Sinusoidal dynamics

The week before the victory in Angers (2-1) was intense in the Principality, between crisis meetings, tough speeches and punishment for captain Wissam Ben Yedder, deprived of travel to Anjou after missing a talk.

Philippe Clement's men have recovered after two monumental defeats (3-0 in Lens, 4-0 against Montpellier) but Monaco remains far from its final momentum of last season (nine wins, one draw).

ASM have taken only seven points in the last five games, a worrying record as their three direct competitors for the Europa League, Lille, Lyon and Rennes, now stand in the next three days.

"We only have finals left," Clement said. "There is a lot of desire. This match against Lille is very important, but it is even more important for Lille."

Because the Northerners, who in recent weeks, have oscillated between the hope of returning to Monaco and the fear of being caught by Lyon and Rennes, who are only three lengths behind, have also dropped eight points in five games (defeats in Angers and Reims, draw in Auxerre).

"I'm wary of Lyon and Rennes," admits Lille defender Bafodé Diakité. "Lyon is slowly but strongly." Faced with this bad pass, the coach of the Dogues Paulo Fonseca called on his players to "understand the capital importance" of this trip.

. Complex internal situations

Monaco is at the end of the cycle, as indicated by the announced departure of English sporting director Paul Mitchell who should be replaced by one of his relatives, the Brazilian Thiago Scuro, current executive director of Red Bull Bragantino.

Despite Clement and Mitchell's desire to push the group to excellence, this information has weighed on the collective dynamic and many important players are thinking about a transfer. Clement has therefore debunked certain statuses and evolved his system in front of the defensive negligence of his team (13th defense of L1, 51 goals conceded).

"It was important to change things," he concedes. "There has been a reaction and now there is a battle between players for these last four games." If the group lives well this recovery, the tauliers Ben Yedder and Maripan will still be absent (suspended) against Lille, where the mixed results have not raised tensions. "We are in a period where things are not going well, we are sticking together to come back," Diakité said.

Lille's French defender Bafode Diakité (l.) celebrates his goal during the Ligue 1 match against Stade Brestois, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, on February 24, 2023 © DENIS CHARLET / AFP/Archives

On the other hand, relations are more confrontational between Fonseca and its president, Olivier Létang. Since January, the coach has regularly regretted the lack of winter recruitment in some key positions. "I'm not happy with the transfer window," he said in April, after a series of injuries that forced him to line up winger Timothy Weah at left-back.

. What if Europe escaped?

The future of Fonseca, under contract until 2024, could therefore depend as much on his relationship with Létang as on the final ranking. But the Portuguese said on Friday that it would be "different next season if we play Europe".

"We need better players, more players, more options," he said. If Rémy Cabella has recently extended until 2025, Lille will probably have to do without Andre Gomes, big salary on loan from Everton.

For his Monegasque counterpart, a season without Europe is unthinkable. According to Clement, this was never even discussed with his billionaire chairman Dmitry Rybolovlev.

"We are very ambitious, I am a winner, we think we will play Europe next season," said the Belgian technician who would have difficulty resisting a possible non-qualification.

On the other hand, Monaco, which will probably not compete in the C1, will have to balance its budget by departures. Axel Disasi, much courted, was valued at nearly 40 million euros. Youssouf Fofana, Caio Henrique, or even Wissam Ben Yedder could also leave.

© 2023 AFP