AS Monaco thread [R]

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

It's bad business, though. I think they paid l'ASM about 4 or 5 million only a season ago, though admittedly, as aforementioned, Givet doesn't appear the same defender he was when with Evra, Squillaci, etc.

[SportBoy333]

He's not the same but he still can play and contribute especially since that position on the team is shaky. Again, I see no reason for him to be sold other than to make a few bucks to help offset the huge amount they spent this summer. They are also looking to get rid of M'Bami for the same reason but unlike Givet he has expressed his desire to play elsewhere.

[hanzellmo]

anyone sees Pino breaking into starting XI this season?

[SportBoy333]

I know he played in their last pre season match. Based on their lack of recruitment this summer I would assume there would be plenty of oppertunity for him to contribute.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

If this team actually had a more offensive-minded coach, I think Pino would have a higher shot. The other thing is that Pino, well, he has tremendous technique although he is seen by some as a bit selfish, combine that with the language barrier and that on the roster there are similar guys who can be in that attacking midfield/winger role (Ménez, Gakpé, Bakar, Mollo, Nêne, even Adu), then one can see why it'd be difficult to say whether he'll have a spot in the starting XI. To his advantage, though, are that Ménez and Gakpé, players who actually would be better than him, in my opinion, aren't 100% (one is completely out, the other has a slight injury). Adu, meanwhile, is at the Olympics. So we can definitely expect to see Pino in the early season.

[SportBoy333]

In the old days Monaco would sign a good player from Bordeaux and now they are getting their scrubs that they dont want like Alejandro Alonso.

[SportBoy333]

If this team actually had a more offensive-minded coach, I think Pino would have a higher shot. The other thing is that Pino, well, he has tremendous technique although he is seen by some as a bit selfish, combine that with the language barrier and that on the roster there are similar guys who can be in that attacking midfield/winger role (Ménez, Gakpé, Bakar, Mollo, Nêne, even Adu), then one can see why it'd be difficult to say whether he'll have a spot in the starting XI. To his advantage, though, are that Ménez and Gakpé, players who actually would be better than him, in my opinion, aren't 100% (one is completely out, the other has a slight injury). Adu, meanwhile, is at the Olympics. So we can definitely expect to see Pino in the early season.

You really think Bakar, Mollo, Nêne, Adu are legitimately better than Pino ? I'd say no way and there's no reason why he couldnt emerge ahead of all those guys.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

D'oh, add him to the attacking midfielders/wingers list this team has. :(

To his credit, Alonso did decently well with Bordeaux when he played, but his signing really does not make a lot of sense, I think.

Believe it or not, I believe this team will do better than people think, though major bumps are expected.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

You really think Bakar, Mollo, Nêne, Adu are legitimately better than Pino ? I'd say no way and there's no reason why he couldnt emerge ahead of all those guys.

I think Nêne is, and Adu perhaps as the only occasions I've seen him were on ESPN's coverage of the U-20 World Cup, where he did actually come up with decent showings. The others I included more as an indication of the "depth" the team has at that role.

[SportBoy333]

Yes they have 'depth' at that position but its not 'quality' depth plus they dont have the depth at the other positions. Backline stinks and up front at the forward position is even worse.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

In any case, here's the group the team has against PSG:

Roma, Ruffier - Mongongu, Adriano, Modesto, Pokrivac, Cufré, Muratori - Mangani, D.Perez, Gosso, Leko, Zola, Martin, Alonso, Diaz, Meriem, Nenê - Pino, Licata, Ménez, Nimani

Injured: Gakpé, Bernardi, Bakar, Dufau, Joneleit, Sagbo
Olympics: Adu, N'Koulou
CFA: Bulot, Mollo, Legati, Yohann Thuram

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Yes they have 'depth' at that position but its not 'quality' depth plus they dont have the depth at the other positions. Backline stinks and up front at the forward position is even worse.

That's why I had the word depth in quotation marks. ;)

[SportBoy333]

In any case, here's the group the team has against PSG:

Roma, Ruffier - Mongongu, Adriano, Modesto, Pokrivac, Cufré, Muratori - Mangani, D.Perez, Gosso, Leko, Zola, Martin, Alonso, Diaz, Meriem, Nenê - Pino, Licata, Ménez, Nimani



Wow, thats pretty bad. Well at least PSG are having their own problems too. I think I predicted 0-0 for this one which would be appropriate I think. They need to replace Piquionne really fast. I might go with this lineup here :

____________Roma_______________
_Mongongu_Adriano_Modesto_Cufre__
____________Gosso_______________
_______Pérez______Mériem________
__Alonso_____________Pino________
___________Nimani________________

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

I assume that you are benching Ménez because he is not at 100%? Or was the lineup that you posted actually the lineup you think Ricardo will likely have? If that's the case, I agree.

[SportBoy333]

Right, Menez probably wont start due to injury and Leko because he played at the Euros. Once we get Leko + Menez AND Adu in there + another international quality forward THEN I expect better things to happen.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Gakpé coming back and a Diakhaté caliber of defender (I don't think more can be expected given what we've been seeing) would certainly help tremendously too.

[SportBoy333]

Damn, I cant believe I forgot Gapke. Replace Adu with him.:)

[BobanFan]

According to Milan's official website, we've agreed terms for you to buy Dario Simic and that he'll be having a medical tomorrow.

http://www.acmilan.com/index.aspx

[smokarz]

You guys should watch the US's olympic games. Adu shredded the Dutch defense yesterday.

He's gonna do great things for you. Looking forward to see him help you guys earn a CL spot next season.

Can anyone tell me how the CL spots are alotted in the French league?

Is it 1st/2nd place teams get automatic slot in the CL and 3rd team get CL qualifying?

[SportBoy333]

Yes thats how it works. I should tell that you that no one is predicting them to earn a CL spot.