Faltering Monaco need to show backbone, says Jardim
PARIS: Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim (pic) said his faltering French champions need players “with character” after slipping 12 points behind runaway leaders Paris St Germain.
The principality side made a strong start to the domestic season despite seeing their titlewinning side decimated in the transfer window, with Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva, Kylian Mbappe and Tiemoue Bakayoko all leaving the club.
But backtoback 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 41 home loss to Leipzig last week.
“At this difficult moment, we need players with character, with experience,” Jardim said on Thursday ahead of today’s match against lowly Angers.
“They are important to bring us a little more desire and tranquillity.”
Without teenage sensation Mbappe, who left on loan to title rivals PSG
ahead of a 180mil (RM875mil) move next year, Radamel Falcao has shoul dered the goalscoring burden, while closeseason 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 plays with another striker,” said the Portuguese coach.
“That gives more space to Falcao, as we did last season and at the beginning of this season.
“When he’s alone, our midfielders like Rony Lopes (Rachid) Ghezzal and Joao (Moutinho) are not used to going into the area, dribbling and scoring.
“Even if they play well, it’s more difficult for Falcao.”
Monaco suffered another setback on Wednesday, with the news that Belgium international midfielder Youri Tielemans would need knee surgery.
PSG’s frontline of Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Mbappe have looked unstoppable for much of this season, although the league leaders had to wait until the 73rd minute to break down a stubborn Troyes in midweek.
But worldrecord signing Neymar and Cavani both scored late on, despite the Uruguayan’s firsthalf penalty miss, to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign with a 20 win that pulled them 10 points clear of secondplaced Marseille.
The three are unlikely to start together for today’s game at newlypromoted Strasbourg, though, with coach Unai Emery set to ring the changes ahead of their final Champions League groupstage game at Bayern Munich.
PSG only need to avoid a fourgoal loss at the Allianz Arena to finish top of Group B, but youngsters Presnel Kimpembe and Giovani Lo Celso could be given starts again at the weekend.
Elsewhere, Marseille visit Montpellier tomorrow bidding to extend a 10match unbeaten streak in the league, while Lyon will look to bounce back from a shock home defeat by Lille at Caen.