Jardim unhappy with team
Paris, Dec. 1: Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim said his faltering French champions need players “with character” after slipping 12 points behind runaway leaders Paris Saint- Germain.
The principality side made a strong start to the domestic season despite seeing their title- winning side decimated in the transfer window, with Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva, Kylian Mbappe and Tiemoue Bakayoko all leaving the club.
But back- to- back defeats by PSG and Nantes have left Monaco languishing in fourth place, while last season’s Champions League semifinalists were also dumped out of Europe with a 4- 1 home loss to RB Leipzig last week.
“At this difficult moment, we need players with character, with experience,” Jardim said Thursday ahead of Saturday’s match against lowly Angers.
“They are important to bring us a little more desire and tranquility.”
Without teenage sensation Mbappe, who left on loan to title rivals PSG ahead of a 180- millioneuro ($ 214.3 million) move next year, Radamel Falcao has shouldered the goalscoring burden, while close- season signing Stevan Jovetic has struggled with form and fitness.
Colombian Falcao has managed 13 goals in just 12 league games this term, but has not scored in his last two outings, and Jardim knows his other forwards have to step up.
“It’s completely different when he ( Falcao) plays with another striker,” said the Portuguese coach. — AFP
Gareth Bale’s emergence off the bench to save a faltering young Real side from embarrassment against third- tier Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey earned the Welshman rave reviews in the Spanish press on Wednesday.
Marca declared Bale had been handed a “fresh start” after a year dogged by a series of injuries.
Yet, he could be absent again at San Mames due to a niggling calf problem having missed training for the past two days. REAL’S NEW
KEPA?
Unlike Bale, Keylor Navas didn’t help Madrid on his return to action after six weeks out by turning Fuenlabrada’s opener into his own net in midweek.
Kiko Casilla was also at fault for Malaga’s second goal at the Bernabeu last weekend, intensifying Real’s search for a new goalkeeper.
According to reports, the new man will be Athletic’s Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has been one of few shining lights in a hugely disappointing season for Bilbao. — AFP