24 March 2015
Monaco in Ligue 1
Monaco are currently in fourth position of France’s premier division having amassed 53 points, six less than league leaders PSG with Lyon and Marseille sandwiched in between. This total has come from 15 wins, eight draws and six defeats.
Scorers and sharp shooters
Dimitar Berbatov and Anthony Martial are the team’s most prolific scorers in the French championship, netting seven and five respectively. The Bulgarian, who joined the club from English side Fulham, is Monaco’s most frequent shooter with 22 efforts, followed closely by Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco on 21.
Between the sticks
Defending the posts is Danijel Subasic, who has started 28 championship games so far this term. The Croatian shotstopper, 30, arrived from Hajduk Split in 2012 and has played a key role in establishing Monaco as Ligue 1’s best defence this season with only 21 goals conceded. Former Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, on loan from Fulham, provides cover.
Last Ligue 1 outing
Two strikes inside the opening 15 minutes got Monaco off to the best possible start in last Sunday’s 3-1 win over Reims, with Fabinho and Martial dealing the hosts an early blow. Diego reduced the arrears to set up an interesting finish with 20 minutes remaining, but Nabil Dirar made sure of the points when he struck in the final stages, ensuring a deserved victory that kept Leonardo Jardim’s men in touch with the title chasing pack.
Champions League
Having topped Group C with 11 points, beating Bayer Leverkusen (twice) and Zenit along the way, Monaco overcame last 16 opponents Arsenal over two dramatic legs of Champions League football.
A memorable night at the Emirates Stadium saw them seize the initiative with a 3-1 first leg win and despite a few nervy moments in the return tie, which Arsenal won 2-0, they managed to hold on to progress on away goals.
Manager
Leonardo Jardim, a Portuguese national born in Venezuela, began his professional coaching career at the age of 27, first as assistant and then as head coach of Camacha.
Promotions with Camacha and Beira-Mar then earned him the top job at Braga, where he enhanced his burgeoning reputation by masterminding a club record 15 consecutive league wins.
Olympiacos came calling in the summer of 2012, and Jardim improved an inspired choice, steering them to league and domestic cup glory during his only full season at the helm.
Last season saw the 40-year-old lead Sporting Lisbon to a Primeira Liga runners-up spot before he accepted the offer to replace Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri in June, signing a two-year deal with the principality club.
