AS Monaco’s Groupe Élite remain winless in the UEFA Youth League after a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
Three games, three defeats. It has been a tough start to the Youth League for Monaco, who, after conceding five against Manchester City last time out, conceded another four against Spurs. “We’re not quite at the level defensively,” admitted manager Djimi Traoré post-match. “If we concede fewer goals, we have a lot of attacking players who can make a difference,” he added.
Among them is Joan Tincres, the scorer of a brace against Tottenham Hotspur. He is by far the most experienced player in what is an inexperienced side further depleted by the injury crisis in the first-team, which has seen players such as Bradel Kiwa, Aladji Bamba, and Pape Cabral fast-tracked into the first-team set-up.
Tincres still in Monaco’s plans
At this level, Tincres is something of a veteran, especially given that he has played professional football, on loan at Ligue 2 side Amiens last season. However, it wasn’t a positive experience for Tincres, who is now using the Youth League to rebuild his confidence and his young career. “His development was slowed down,” Traoré told us post-match.
He added, “He scored a lot of goals under my management last season, but he wanted to take the step to be in a professional team. I have a lot of respect for that, and so he went to Amiens, but it didn’t go well. The club is counting on him. I have told him that the Youth League is a chance for him to show the best of himself. He showed that he is on form today, but he is coming back from an injury; I promise you, though, this isn’t a Joan Tincres at 100%, that will be in about a month.”
If Monaco are to qualify for the next round of the Youth League, they will need Tincres fit and firing, especially given the current defensive fragility. It was thanks to the formidable Jules Stawiecki, a “special player” in the words of Traoré, in goal, that Les Monégasques kept in the game until the final stages. He made four excellent saves inside the first 20 minutes. “Even if he is a goalkeeper and has to make stops, too, it is thanks to him that we can play the way that we do, by playing out from the back. He is good technically, calm, and can break the lines. It is a relief to have a goalkeeper of his quality at this level,” said Troaré.
However, he was beaten by Oliver Irow who got the first of the game, finishing a cross from Luca Williams-Barnett. Tincres levelled before the break and then got his second the other side of half-time before Spurs’ comeback. Elijah Upson’s towering header meant that Les Monégasques’ lead was short-lived before Tynan Thompson allowed Spurs to retake the advantage. A red card for Kenan Moulangou left Monaco a man down and a goal down, and the Premier League side worked their numerical advantage to good effect, netting a fourth through Leo Black.
Traoré in contact with new Monaco manager Pocognoli
There is learning to do for Traoré’s side and also a need to adjust. The Groupe Élite mimics the first team in terms of style and shape in order to allow players who make the step up to quickly integrate. The effects of the managerial change and the arrival of Sébastien Pocognoli are naturally felt at youth level.
“It is the same style, the same principles,” highlighted Traoré, drawing the similarities between Pocognoli and his predecessor, Adi Hutter. “We are applying everything [from the first-team]. With the managerial change, I told the squad that it is a chance for everyone, the cards are re-dealt. It’s an opportunity for them to show that they can play at a higher level, but for some, the step is currently too big.”
Traoré revealed that he had spoken with the incoming Pocognoli, whose time to work with his new squad has been limited since signing on the dotted line during the international break. “It’s all new for him. He is finding out about the young players. From the conversation we had, he is happy with the young players from the academy,” said Monaco’s Groupe Élite manager. All signs are that, like Hutter, Pocognoli will look to continue integrating academy players into the set-up, and it was telling that first-team coaches Kevin Mirallas and Artur Kopyt were both pitchside for the match.
Providing a pathway for these players is the long-term aim. In the short term, Monaco’s academy must reverse the trend in their Youth League campaign and that is what Traoré hopes to do. “Why not take nine points from our last three games?” said Traoré. Easier said than done.
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Photo credit: Luke Entwistle / Monaco Life
