Free-scoring Monaco aim to end PSG run
– Monaco have a real chance to end two years of complete domestic dominance by Paris StGermain when they face the titleholders in today’s French League Cup final.
Owned by billionaire Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev, Monaco have banked on recruiting the cream of French youth while coach Leonardo Jardim has unleashed Europe’s highest scorers on the pitch.
They have also earned a fortune selling on the likes of James Rodriguez, Anthony Martial and others to balance the books at a visibly burgeoning club.
Paris
The latest starlet to emerge at Monaco is 18-year-old striker Kylian Mbappe (right), who will be firmly in the spotlight at Lyon’s Stade Olympique this weekend.
Chelsea are among Europe’s big guns reportedly chasing him and striker Diego Costa last week called Mbappe “a phenomenon”.
Underlining his fast-growing reputation, Barcelona’s Gerard Pique picked out the youngster at half-time of the France v Spain game on Tuesday, asking Mbappe for his shirt.
Striker Radamel Falcao is also back on form, helping Monaco plunder 87 goals so far in the French League, which they lead with eight games to go and face Dortmund in the Champions League quarterfinals.
In contrast to the surging confidence in Monaco, in Paris there is a feeling that Unai Emery will be shown the door in the summer after only a year in charge at PSG following the Champions League meltdown at Barcelona.
If they are to retain their crown they may do it without captain and central defender Thiago Silva who is suffering a crisis of confidence at just the wrong time.
“In recent big matches he has looked afraid,” former PSG defender Bruno N’Gotty said.
In the past two years PSG, bankrolled by Qatari money, have won the domestic treble of League, Cup and League Cup.
But even that was not enough to save the job of former coach Laurent Blanc.
There is enduring hope in striker Edinson Cavani, who has scored 38 times this season in all competitions and hit a brace in the semifinal defeat of Bordeaux.
Another shining light under Emery has been the Brazilian winger Lucas Moura, who has played the most minutes for PSG this season. –