AS Monaco approaches their Coupe de France Round of 16 clash against Strasbourg with a renewed sense of confidence, buoyed by a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Juventus and a dominant 4-0 victory over Stade Rennais. Manager Sébastien Pocognoli expressed his aspirations for the upcoming match while addressing various topics concerning the squad.
In an update on player availability, Pocognoli confirmed that Kassoum Ouattara will be sidelined for several weeks due to a calf injury. Ansu Fati is also expected to miss the match following a knock to his calf during the previous game, although hopes remain for a quick return. Meanwhile, Wout Faes and Christian Mawissa participated in training, but it’s too early for them to play against Strasbourg. Pocognoli remains optimistic about Faes making a swift return after suffering a sprained ankle, and he is taking a cautious approach with Mawissa, who has had previous hamstring injuries.
Pocognoli highlighted the significance of the Coupe de France to the club’s ambitions this season. He stated that competing in the Cup is as important as qualifying for the Champions League playoffs or pushing for a European spot in the league. “The Coupe de France is a genuine goal for us. If we win tomorrow, we’ll reach the quarterfinals, and we need to maintain our recent performance levels to earn a spot in the next phase,” Pocognoli said, emphasizing the team’s mindset and approach to the match.
Looking ahead to Strasbourg, the manager acknowledged the challenges they present, noting their ambition and recent investment in the team. He expects a spirited fight from Strasbourg, who view the Cup as a crucial opportunity under their new management. Pocognoli recognizes that they will need strong teamwork, tactical discipline, and cohesion to advance in the competition.
Highlighting the arrival of Simon Adingra, who joins on loan from Sunderland, Pocognoli expressed his enthusiasm about the versatile player’s potential contributions to the squad. He described Adingra as a strategic asset capable of adapting to various positions within the team, which can aid in tactical adjustments and depth management.
Pocognoli also reflected on the team’s recent defensive improvements, noting their achievement of three consecutive clean sheets after a period of conceding significantly in prior matches. He stressed the importance of maintaining this defensive solidity to have a strong chance of progressing further in the tournament.
Following their impressive performance against Rennes, AS Monaco is eager to continue that momentum into this pivotal match against Strasbourg, viewing it as a prime opportunity to advance towards potential silverware, especially with heavyweights like Paris Saint-Germain exiting the competition. The team remains focused and optimistic about their chances as they prepare for what promises to be a tactically intense encounter.