Mika Biereth, the much-awaited new scorer for AS Monaco?

It took him less than thirty minutes to come into view. Entered at the break against Stade de Reims (1-1, 3-1 after penalties), in 16^es final of the Coupe de France this Tuesday, Mika Biereth (21) delivered a magnificent decisive pass – with a soft right-footed cross – for Mohammed Salisu, thus allowing AS Monaco to equalize and win go to penalties.

A great first for the Danish center forward who has just arrived from SK Sturm Graz (Austria); and this, even if the formation of the Rock finally bowed…and if he missed his attempt. “Mika was decisive by offering the equalizing goal to Mohammed Salisu. He also tried to have an impact in this second period, but he played his last match on December 11 (against LOSC in the Champions League, editor's note), so it's not easy», Explained Adi Hütter, the Monegasque coach, after the match.

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The perfect profile

If AS Monaco went to look for him this winter, it is because they absolutely needed a quality center forward to hope to achieve their objectives at the end of the season. Indeed, the Rocher club is (totally) orphaned by Wissam Ben Yedder – who left last summer – on the offensive level. Folarin Balogun – on whom the Monegasque leaders have invested a lot of money – is injured (almost) until the end of the season, Breel Embolo weighs (a lot) on the defenses but (still) lacks realism and the young George Ilenikhena – certainly very promising – still appears too tender. The Principality's sports management therefore set out to recruit a “pure” scorer in January.

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And she turned to Mika Biereth. The Dane, born in London (England), perfectly matches the desired profile. “He feels the shots, knows how to position himself and always has the desire to shake the net. Mika also does a great job for the team outside the box, and fits perfectly with our style of play, which is similar to the one he experienced in Graz», enthused Adi Hütter during his presentation. The young striker is literally obsessed with the opposing goal. In this sense he resembles Erling Haaland, one of his inspirations. “I consider myself an old-fashioned striker, I love scoring goals and finding the right position to be decisivehe announced upon his arrival. Even if I think you must not have seen goals from elsewhere in my highlights on YouTube (smile). I try to be as consistent as possible, a goal is a goal, and that's the most important thing.»

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A great start to the season

But if the choice of “ASM” fell on the player who played for Arsenal FC, it is also – and above all – because of his incredible first part of the season. After a (successful) loan to SK Sturm Graz between January and June 2024, he was permanently transferred there last summer for an amount of €9 million. A more than judicious choice since it reveals itself completely. He crashes goal after goal and concludes the year 2024 with 11 goals – and 4 assists – on the clock in just 15 league matches; to which must be added 2 goals in the Champions League (against Girona CF and LOSC). Outstanding.

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We understand why the Principality club did not hesitate to put €13 million on the table to secure his services this winter. It remains to be seen how he will succeed in acclimatizing to Ligue 1. “The most important thing will initially be to integrate him into the team. There will inevitably be a time of adaptation to Ligue 1, which is a new championship for him, even if he has already had the opportunity to meet Lille three times (twice in the Europa Conference League and once in the Champions League). champions, editor’s note)“, warned Adi Hütter. The meeting against the red lantern, Montpellier Hérault SC, this Friday evening (7 p.m.), should allow them to get their bearings.

SEE ALSO – Ligue 1: behind the scenes of Thiago Almada's arrival at Olympique Lyonnais