Niko Kovac has no short memory. The Monegasque technician remembers very well that his team struggled on April 25 to get rid of Angers at the Kopa stadium. In a period when everything was successful, ASM easily chained the victories and no longer conceded a goal for eight games. His performance against the SCO then remained an anomaly. The situation is completely the opposite today. The princely club arrives in Anjou without certainty in the game.
Will salvation come from 4-2-3-1, the last system inaugurated by Niko Kovac on the evening of the Lille reception (2-2, November 19)? Many hope to stop a series of four games without success in L1 (one reverse, three draws).
This tactical change still implies automatisms in the relaunch. When Maripan and Badiashile, supported by Aguilar or Sidibé launched the game in the past, ball outings are now the preserve of both centers. This will be the task of Disasi and Maripan this Wednesday evening, since Badiashile (thigh) is forfeited.
This Tuesday, Niko Kovac justified his tactical orientations in front of the press. “By dint of facing defenses with five, it was difficult to bring the surplus by also playing five behind. The overlapping devices and opposing central defenders jumped on our ten who were playing with their backs to goal. It was becoming far too easy to defend against us. “
The probable lines
The declaration
“I think he played his two best matches for ASM against Real Sociedad and Strasbourg. He was very aggressive and good with the ball against Real in particular. He took two hits on the ankle on Sunday but he was available against Angers. “, Niko Kovac, Monaco coach, on the performance of Jean Lucas.