Jean-François Pérès, edited by Thibault Nadal 10:22 a.m., August 02, 2022
As Monaco starts its season this Tuesday evening.
The club from the Principality welcomes the Dutch side of PSV Eindhoven to its Louis II side as part of the third preliminary round of the Champions League.
This time, the Monegasques want to avoid repeating the failure of last season when they failed in the play-offs against Shakhtar Donetsk.
While Ligue 1 does not officially resume until Friday, a first French club is already playing an official match this Tuesday evening.
Third in the league last season, As Monaco are starting their journey in the Champions League.
The club of the Principality faces in its stadium Louis II the Dutch of PSV Eindhoven within the framework of the third preliminary round.
The Monegasques will have two rounds to go before they can join PSG and OM in the group stage.
The painful precedent of Shakhtar Donetsk
A crucial first meeting for As Monaco, especially since the Monegasques missed out on 2nd place on the last day of the championship by being equalized at the last second.
This goal conceded meant no direct qualification in the Champions League, but a mini-obstacle course in the middle of summer… like last year when ASM fell in the play-off against Shakhtar Donetsk.
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Defender Axel Disasi has not forgotten him.
He approaches tonight's meeting against PSV with a strong desire for revenge: "We are competitors. We want to redeem ourselves and evolve in the most beautiful of European competitions. We have to focus on ourselves by using the experience of last season", he explained in a pre-match press conference.
A career that had an impact on the start of the season for As Monaco last year
This elimination last summer against Shakhtar Donetsk had weakened the position of the coach at the time, Niko Kovac.
The Croatian was replaced this winter by the Belgian Philippe Clément.
The Flemish technician, renowned for his attacking game developed in particular in Bruges, is having his first experience abroad.
He does not intend to deny his principles despite the pressure, regardless of the opponent: "Against PSG or OM, we always played to win. For me, it's an important thing because I want a team winners. We attack with all our players".
A financial jackpot at stake
Participation in the group stage of the Champions League is a real jackpot for clubs.
Admittedly, Monaco, which has just sold its nugget Aurélien Tchouameni to Real Madrid for 100 million euros, is not the most to be pitied, but this presence in the big leagues is fundamental for the continuation of a project which is many envious people in Europe.