Two defeats et a draw in four days of L1, two defeats in the Champions League, the loss of the Champions Trophy in stoppage time in Doha against Paris (1-0) on Sunday: Monacoso dashing at the start of the season, is no longer sovereign. However, the Austrian technicianAdi Hütter, who has just extended his contract two more seasons is “not worried”.
“The Champions Leaguehas been added this season, he explains. This is part of the development process for the young players in the group. In addition, lately we have met some very big teams.” Hütter refers to Arsenal (3-0 defeat) which is much superior, or even to PSG, winner at Louis-II on December 18 (4-2). However, he recognizes inadequacies “in Marseille (2-1), Nice (2-1), and against Benfica (3-2) in the Champions League”.
Better defend
“Today, we remain in the race in all competitions. But we are not not 100% satisfiedfor example the result against Benfica where the match could have turned out differently, he underlines. We must find a better level to perform better, regain our ability to perform ‘clean sheets’ and score more goals.”
After confirming Philippe Köhn in goal in Nantes, while waiting for the rest of the season, Hütter wants to see his team become more airtight. “Even if we did well against Toulouse (2-0) and Reims (0-0), we conceded too many goals lately,” he regrets.
“Defending well is important, says the right-back Jordan Theses. If we don’t concede a goal, we can win. Normally, we score in every match.” Beyond recurring individual defensive errors to erasethe overall animation needs to be adjusted, to get through “very important January and February” as best as possible, says Hütter.
-So, in the middle, Monaco is slipping when Denis Zakaria is absent. He missed nine matches. Despite his ability to repeat high intensity runs, Alexander Golovin is not stabilizing enough in the double pivot that Hütter recommends. As for Lamine Camara et Soungoutou Tallthey are valuable, but inexperienced. In attack, Monaco is deprived of his master asset, Folarin Bologunoperated on a shoulder. Without him, two leading attackers are valid: Breel Embolo and the young George Ilenikhena18 ans.
“Spin machine” and rookie
However, if Monaco qualifies in Reims in the Cup on Tuesday, and competes in the Champions League play-offs, 13 matches will come together in six weeks. As for the following three weeks (February 24-March 16, date of the international break), they will be made up of six new potential matches: three days of L1,and Cup quarter-final and Round of 16 first leg and second leg of the Champions League…
“We have two very intense months ahead of us,” predicts Hütter. “Certainly, we need bring in an attacker. We have to find the right one.” In absolute terms, the Monegasque management would like to loan without purchase optionan experienced center forward, accustomed to European games and operational immediately.
While waiting for this rare pearlsMonaco and Teze want to “put pressure on OM”. For this, the Dutchman recommends “new little details to surprise the opponents”. Hütter is going to set in motion what he calls “the rotation machine“. “It’s necessary, he assures. A player cannot play ten matches in a row without putting himself in danger. Everyone must be protected and will be affected. Our group is not that big.” But the results must regain a higher standard.
