Falcao-less Monaco bid to put pressure on PSG
PARIS: French champions Monaco will Saturday with key forwards Kylian make the tricky trip to Lyon on Friday Mbappe and Edinson Cavani boosted without red-hot striker Radamel Falcao, after helping their countries qualify for as they look to keep up the pressure on the World Cup in midweek. Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain. World-record signing Neymar failed
Leonardo Jardim’s side dropped two to score in Brazil’s final two World points with a 1-1 home draw against Cup qualifiers, so he will be desperate Montpellier before the international to terrorise a Dijon defence which has break to slip three points adrift of PSG already shipped 17 goals in Ligue 1 this at the top of the table. term.
Colombian Falcao has been in Mbappe came off the bench as stunning form so far this season, France confirmed their place in Russia scoring 12 goals in just eight league with a 2-1 win over Belarus, while outings, but his midweek efforts in Cavani scored as Uruguay sealed helping his country qualify for next second in South American qualifying, year’s World Cup have ruled him out of behind Brazil, by beating Bolivia 4-2. Friday’s game. Unai Emery’s side may have half an
“He played last night, then there eye on Wednesday’s Champions League are the different trips (to get back to game against Anderlecht in Brussels, Monaco),” Jardim said on Wednesday. but should have more than enough to
“To try to play against Lyon could continue their unbeaten start to the kill him. He will not play. In fact, his season in all competitions. physical condition doesn’t allow him to The capital-city club are brimming play two matches in 48 hours.” with confidence after a stunning start
Falcao will play in the World Cup “I congratulated him for the Argentinian Guido without centre-back Marcelo, after the to the campaign, which they continued finals for the first time in Russia, after qualification, but my management of start up front. Brazilian’s bizarre sending off against by thrashing Bordeaux 6-2 a fortnight ago.settingupJamesRodriguez’sgoalasFalcaowon’tchange.I’lldoeverythingLyonhavestartedtostruggleinAngers,whenhewasgivenastraight Colombia booked their place with a 1-1 I can to keep him at his best.” recent weeks after a bright start to the red card for accidentally knocking a But centre-back Thiago Silva is draw in Peru. Despite Falcao’s early goal, Monaco season and are winless in their last three yellow card out of the referee’s hand. likely to miss the matches at Dijon
“He deserves to play in a World were far from their best in their last matches, including back-to-back 3-3 PSG BRIMMING WITH and Anderlecht after suffering a thigh Cup, he is a great player of a very high league match against Montpellier draws against Angers and Dijon. CONFIDENCE muscle injury while on Brazil duty. quality,” added Jardim. and will have to bounce back with Bruno Genesio’s men will PSG pay a visit to lowly Dijon on — Reuters Carrillo likely to be