Ligue 1. In Monaco, the C1 in everyone’s mind but not on everyone’s lips
How far will Monaco stop? In a very positive spiral in recent weeks, ASM is eyeing qualification for the Champions League, before receiving Angers on Sunday (3 p.m.) during the 35th day of Ligue 1.
“For the moment, in the locker room, we are not talking about the podium, smiles his Belgian coach, Philippe Clément. I’m happy, the players told me they didn’t talk about it among themselves. They are focused on the next game. Mentalities have changed. That suits me. A few months ago, several of them looked too much at the rankings. This creates negative pressure. »
The Monegasque technician shows real continuity in his speech: even at the height of the storm, when Monaco was no longer winning in the Championship, and after the eliminations in the Cup and the Europa League, he includes similar proposals.
Six straight wins
His recipe? Imposing very short-term objectives on its players. The result ? ASM has raised the bar, with six consecutive victories and a fourth place in the standings.
“The coach is very calm, always optimistic and positive, explains Benoît Badiashile. When you’re young, it’s sometimes hard to stay calm in difficult times. He instilled that. It is important. »
“There are four finals left,” relishes the defender. Before playing Lille, Brest and Lens, the first of them, very important, is disputed against Angers. Without the suspended Aurélien Tchouameni, Axel Disasi, nor Vanderson, three indisputable holders of the positive series.
“When you win, it’s always easier to be optimistic, continues the international Espoirs. The victory against Paris SG (3-0, March 20, editor’s note) serves as a benchmark and gave us a lot of strength. »
Clément: “Beware of overconfidence”
The workforce is cut for the podium. “Yes, but reaching it does not depend only on us, since Rennes have a better goal difference, underlines Badiashile again. So we stay focused on what we’re doing. Afterwards, if Rennes wins all its matches…”
“We lost too many points before because of ourselves, Clément slips again. We still have to do the next battle. To win it. “To start again…
In order to aim for a seventh success in a row, as in the heart of winter 2021 between January and February, Clément warned his men: “I told them “beware of overconfidence”. What we have just realized is not a guarantee. We will have to be at our best level to beat Angers”.
The former coach of Bruges therefore continues to impose sessions with heavy workloads, like last Tuesday. And he sent his workforce to respond as he wishes.
“I don’t want my players to be quiet”
“I have the feeling that we are calm, ready for the final,” he said, referring to intense emulation thanks to the competition. Like the positive evolution of the state of mind of Sofiane Diop, who has played very little lately because “his level has dropped”, according to Clément, and who, after a period of frustration, returns with ” a lot of desire”.
“I don’t want my players to be quiet, found Clément. I want them to be comfortable in what they are doing, without and with the ball, to control every detail. You don’t have to do what you can. But as best as possible. It creates stability. »
The one that could lead Monaco to the podium… Not to mention it…