Monaco – Clermont: the pre-match – Clermont Foot
A week after a successful draw against Reims 10 against 11 (0-0), Clermont goes to the Stade Louis II for the 21th Ligue 1 day Uber Eats. The Auvergnats are preparing to face a Monegasque team which ranks 7th in the standings with 30 points, 6 points from the podium. For its part, the CF63 is undefeated in the league for 2 games, a first since October 16 (1-1 in Lorient then 1-0 victory against LOSC). Clermont also remains on two games without conceding a single goal.
At Montpied during the first leg, the Clermontois lost after opening the scoring quickly thanks to Bayo, well served by Nsimba. Pascal Gastien’s players had regretted a penalty not whistled in their favor following a foul by Berthomier in the area, while they were leading. Goals from Ben Yedder, Volland and Diop then enabled the Monegasques to turn things around (1-3).
First at home for Clément, new Monegasque coach
Monaco remains a team in form with only 1 defeat in its last 13 games in all competitions (at PSG on December 12). ASM however decided to part with the services of its coach Niko Kovac at mid-season, replaced by Belgian coach Philippe Clement.
The former Club Brugge coach resumed with his new team with a draw in Nantes (0-0) and will lead his first home game against Clermont Foot. To build his project, Clément has at hand a workforce of great quality. Pascal Gastien expects a big opposition: “Monaco is very effective, we saw it in the first leg. In the game, we had risen to their level. This team is capable of overturning difficult situations, we will have to be vigilant until the end. We will still have to raise our level of play.
For this meeting, Monaco will be without Fabregas, Badiaschile, Marcelin and Diatta, injured, and Pelé, who left for the CAN. The Monegasques could however count on their duo of attackers, to watch closely: Ben Yedder and Volland. 10 goals and 2 assists in the league for the French international, 5 goals and 5 assists for the German international. Between them, the Monegasque strikers have scored more than 50% of their team’s goals since the start of the season (15 out of 29).
Confirm an interesting dynamic in the league
On the Rock, Clermont on the occasion to win their second consecutive away game for the first time this season. Faced with a good opponent, Pascal Gastien remains cautious: “There is a good dynamic at the moment in the league, but we have to remain realistic, we know that it will be difficult to dominate all our next opponents. We will have to take points as soon as we can and be 100% concentrated so as not to be surprised. I remain convinced that we can put a good part of the teams in this championship in difficulty. Now we have to win”.
Before two home games next week and at the mention of the busy schedule, the Clermont coach remains pragmatic: “We have a complicated schedule with a three-game week starting, but we will move forward little by little. We will first focus on Monaco which is one of the biggest teams in the championship. Then we’ll see for the rest.” says the Clermont coach.
Also questioned at a press conference, Yohann Magnin was specified: “It’s an important match from a collective point of view, we have to keep going, not fall back into defeat. It is important to gain confidence. We all know the quality of this team, but we will go to Monaco to play our game and to win. On the aura of opportunities, like to go. They attack a lot, spend a lot of energy during their matches. We will have to play taking this into account to find the difficult solutions and implement them”.
Back in the group shortly after his break from the Crusaders, the native of Clermont-Ferrand, trained at CF63, measures day after day what the club is going through and knows the importance of this kind of meeting: “We are in Ligue 1 with Clermont Foot, it is sometimes historic, the coach reminds us, we have to crunch these moments to the fullest. If I can instill that good mood in the group, I will. We will not have to let go until the last day. »
Without Gastien but with Abdul Samed
For this match, Pascal Gastien can count on the returns of Cédric Hountondji and Salis Abdul Samed while Johan Gastien is suspended. Only Billong is in the infirmary while Bayo, Allevinah and Khaoui are still contesting the CAN in Cameroon.
Chance of the calendar, Jérôme Phojo made his big comeback in the group during this trip to his training club. Victim of mononucleosis then phlebitis, the lateral right has not replayed in pro for 2 years. This return is the result of great perseverance on the part of the player and in-depth work by the technical and medical staff.
Mr. Stinat at the whistle
To referee this match, Jérémy Stinat will be assisted by Christophe Mouysset, Erwan Finjean and Robin Chaparia. Yohann Rouinsard and Frédéric Haquette provide video assistance.