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“We want to fight every game for Clement and the fans”

by: Luke Entwistle
04/05/2022

ASM’s in-form Dutch striker Myron Boadu sat down with Monaco Life to discuss the team’s recent resurrection, the impact of Philippe Clement, and the process of “becoming himself” again.

Arriving from AZ Alkmaar in August 2021, the €17 million price tag looked to be weighing heavily on the young Dutchman’s shoulders, as he netted only twice during Nico Kovac’s reign as AS Monaco manager, averaging a goal every 510 minutes. Fast forward to May and Monaco are on a seven-game winning run, whilst Myron Boadu, under the tutelage of new manager Phillipe Clement, looks to have broken free from the shackles that constrained him during those difficult beginnings, scoring three goals in his last six games and averaging a goal every 96 minutes.

Monaco Life: Coming from the Eredivisie, you took time to adapt to Ligue 1. How do you evaluate those first few months?

Myron Boadu: I’m a young player. For me, it was the first time going abroad and of course to a stronger league, so that was a little bit difficult in the beginning. I expected it, but on the other hand, I also expected that I’d be scoring goals every game, like in Holland. I talked a lot with my agent, with my parents, with the coach at that time and Paul Mitchell as well. So, they gave me the confidence to just do my thing, they said just have patience and my qualities will show through. I also spoke with Calvin Stengs (OGC Nice winger). We talked about the new life that we were experiencing, and he had similar problems to me. I think it was good to have each other.

What would you say are the most notable differences between the two leagues?

I saw a difference in the style of play. Most of the teams play against us with five defenders, and in the Eredivisie, even the clubs that are playing to avoid relegation are playing a 4-3-3, attacking football. That is the main difference, as well as the physicality. It’s not normal. All of the defenders here are so strong, and I consider myself a strong guy. That’s what really stands out for me. What I see here as well is that everyone has a winning mentality, even in training, which is a little bit different from Holland. In training in France, when we lose as a team, we can really go back to the dressing room angry, disappointed. It is really competitive, but I think that is good. In Holland, it’s a little bit less so. We come off the pitch and it’s finished.

You talk about training, how has the intensity of those sessions improved you both on a physical and tactical level?

I had to adapt, it was finding out the right schedule to work on my physique. It was also good to replicate in training what I would expect in a game, with Axel Disasi, Benoît Badiashile and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Those kinds of guys are super strong, so in that way, it allowed me to adapt to Ligue 1’s style of play. Ben Yedder is a fantastic player as well, and a fantastic person. For me it was important to see a top striker in front of me. I’m happy that he’s my team-mate. In training I watch what he does, how he does it, and I try to add it to my game. If we are in a finishing drill then he and Kevin Volland will give me words of advice, and I appreciate that from them.

Having undergone that process of adaptation, you scored against Nantes in the defeat on penalties in the Coupe de France semi-final. Can you talk us through that bittersweet moment?

It was a very important moment for me because I felt that from January until that moment I became the person I am today, I became myself again. The first six months was a matter of adapting to this new situation and I think that is normal… I was ultimately disappointed, I wanted to be in the final, but I was happy to have scored that goal. For me at that point, I knew I just had to continue like that.

That match was the beginning of a difficult March. How pivotal has Clement been to the turnaround? Disasi and Badiashile have both talked about the calmness and optimism that he exudes.

After that match, we had a lot of disappointments one after another, but the coach always told us that he knew how good we could be, and I think that is important for a coach to do that and we respect him a lot. We want to fight every game for him and for the fans, to win the games.

On a personal level, how is it having a coach that speaks your mother tongue?

He knows I can score goals, he gives me a lot of confidence and he talks with me a lot. Whilst I can understand French, it makes it easier in training, because he can explain to me even better in Dutch and then I know exactly what to do. I don’t even have to think, I just know.

The turning point came in a 3-0 win against PSG. Despite a difficult run leading up to the fixture against the league leaders, how was the atmosphere within the group?

Before PSG, the dynamic within the team was already good, but of course if you beat PSG 3-0, it’s going to do a lot of good to your confidence. On top of that, PSG is the best team in the league. We already knew how good we were, we just needed a game to confirm that, and PSG was that game.

Since that victory, Monaco have strung together another six wins, amounting to a seven-game winning streak, their best since January/February 2021. The team is clearly high on confidence, whilst you have scored three goals in your last six fixtures. How confident are you at the moment?

The confidence in taking the next chance is something that I also had in Holland so I had to rediscover that. At the beginning of my time here I got overly frustrated with myself when I missed a chance, whereas now I just think, “okay, you missed this one, but the next one is going in, and if you miss the next one then the one after that is going in”. This season has taught me a lot. I also talk with the right people and they give me extra confidence to refind myself. Now I just want to continue to score goals and I hope that I can do that.

Of course, the hope is that Monaco’s run takes them into next season’s Champions League. Is that a dream of yours to play in that competition?

The Champions League is where the best teams are, and of course you want to compete with the best. I think with the history that Monaco has, we should be playing in the Champions League. It is a dream for all of us, and I know that we can do it. Of course, we have three finals so we’re not there yet. For us, it’s important just to keep doing the same things that we have been doing, by not thinking about the table. We just have to win our games, and we do that by being ourselves.

And then there is also the World Cup at the end of the year…

It’s a dream to go to the World Cup for sure. But at this point I just want to continue here like I’ve been doing. For me, the Dutch squad is currently far away, but I think everything is possible. So, I just have to continue, end the season well, and then from the first minute of next season, I have to do the same.

Boadu is only just hitting his stride at Monaco, and should he continue down the same path, there is no reason for him not to force his way into Louis Van Gaal’s plans, whilst his dream of playing Champions League football next year remains very much alive.

 

 

 

Photo by AS Monaco

 

 

AS Monaco enters into partnership with NFT agency

by: Luke Entwistle
01/04/2022

AS Monaco became the first club in Ligue 1 to step into the metaverse by signing a partnership with Capital Block, a move designed to strengthen its NFT strategy.

Having dipped their feet in the NFT water back in August through their partnership with Sorare, AS Monaco have now gone a step further and, in doing so, become the first Ligue 1 club to collaborate with an NFT consulting agency. They are also one of the first to do so in European football.

Capital Block will help the club with their NFT strategy as it traverses a novel industry, which football clubs are only just starting to engage in. Principally, it will advise ASM on the creation and launch of its NFTs, as well as which NFT platforms to partner with.

The partnership will also bring something new to AS Monaco fans, or at least those engaged in the NFT community, as plans for exclusive products and experiences are already being drawn up.

In a press release from the club, Vice-President Oleg Petrov said, “We are pleased to launch the partnership with Capital Block, which will enable AS Monaco to strengthen its positioning in the field of digital innovation and improve the possibilities for fans to connect with the club.”

Petrov added that the use of NFTs will be a big part of the club’s strategy going forward, highlighting the importance of the new partnership in reaching their goals. “Each passing day confirms the growing appeal of NFTs. Capital Block’s expertise will enable us to better understand this universe, to grasp the issues related to it and define a solid and sustainable strategy,” continued Petrov.

Tim Mangnall, CEO of Capital Block added, “We are delighted to be working with AS Monaco and we are really looking forward to hitting the ground running with the club.”

Mangnall says he is confident of what his company can bring to everyone around the club: “We are really excited that football clubs across Europe are starting to realise the importance of an NFT strategy, and those that do, will benefit in many ways, as will their fans.”

 

 

 

ASM match preview: “No more room for failure”

by: Luke Entwistle
25/02/2022

In between the reveal of AS Monaco’s Europa League opponent, and Sunday’s fixture against Reims, Gelson Martins and Philippe Clement addressed the media on Friday speaking about the challenge ahead.

At midday on Friday, the Europa League round of 16 draw took place, the Principality side drawing Portugese side Braga, with the fixtures to be played on 10th and 17th March. Portuguese midfielder Martins has high expectations for the clash. “It’s a team I know very well, that I’ve played against many times in Portugal.”

Martins continued, “They are a good team that has a lot of experience in the Europa League, and I think it’ll be a great match.” Clement admitted he isn’t as familiar with the side. “I watch lots of European matches, so I know lots of teams in the draw really well, but less so this Braga team. They are defensively strong and quick in attack. I know their results, but that doesn’t tell you much.”

Before that however, the side’s focus is firmly on Sunday’s match at the Stade Louis II against Stade de Reims where, according to Martins, a win is essential. “We have to chase after the points we have lost. It’s a difficult period of games, but we have shown that we can beat these teams. Clearly, there’s no more room for failure.”

Indeed, every match is vital, and the difficult matches are coming thick and fast, the Principality side set for mid-week matches every week until mid-March. Squad rotation will therefore be key in the coming weeks, and Clement told Monaco Life that there could be changes on Sunday. “On top of (Aurelien) Tchouameni and (Caio) Henrique, who are suspended, there could be other changes.” The Belgian coach added that it would be either Youssouf Fofana or Eliot Matazo who would replace Tchouameni.

Monaco Life attended Friday training at the La Turbie training centre and can confirm that, bar long-term absentee Krepin Diatta, all players were involved in group training. However, Clement revealed that many are still short on match fitness.

Despite a friendly against Brentford B on Wednesday, in which AS Monaco ran out 2-1 winners, Cesc Fabregas still hasn’t quite reached match fitness. Benoit Badiashile will also likely be absent, but Myron Boadu has the potential to perhaps play “10-15 minutes”. Russian midfielder Aleksandr Golovin is doubtful having felt some discomfort during training.

Following consecutive draws in Ligue 1, against two low-blocks, Clement is hoping that this match won’t follow the same pattern. “It’s always difficult against low-blocks. We have had great difficulty against these teams. I think that this time it will be different.”

For the sake of Monaco’s chances of European qualification, fans will hope that this is the case, whilst a victory would allow the side to build some much needed momentum ahead of a crucial month of football.

 

 

Photo of Philippe Clement by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

 

 

 

ASM to play its part in fight against cancer

by: Luke Entwistle
03/02/2022
monaco-life-news-monte-carlo-asm-cancer

Saturday night’s fixture against Lyon will not only be a meeting of two Ligue 1 giants, but recognition of the incredible work done by the Monaco Scientific Centre (CSM) and the Flavien Foundation.

To commemorate World Cancer Day, which takes place on 4th February, AS Monaco will highlight the CSM and the Flavien Foundation’s commitment in the fight against paediatric cancer on the 5th through auctions, jersey presentations and exclusive experiences.

Pre-match, AS Monaco Vice-President Oleg Petrov will offer a jersey to the organisations as a symbol of the club’s support.

The club will also stage a ‘My Wish’ experience, whereby two children, supported by the Flavien Foundation, will have the unique experience of watching the match from backstage. Their families, as well as other members of the Flavien Foundation, will be invited to attend the game.

Completing the club’s tribute is an auction of the jerseys worn by Monaco players on the night. The auction will begin on Sunday 6th on the MatchWornShirt platform and continue until 13th February, with the profits being shared 50/50 between the two organisations.

The CSM and the Flavien Foundation have been collaborating since 2015 in order to improve knowledge and develop potential therapies for paediatric cancer.

The announcement comes just days after the Principality hosted the Biennial Cancer Conference at the Grimaldi Forum, which was organised by the CSM and took place under the patronage of Prince Albert II.

AS Monaco’s fixture against Lorient next weekend will also commemorate the work done by local associations who work with children with cancer. World Child Cancer Day is on 15th February, with Monaco playing just two days before. The club will therefore invite fans and volunteers from local associations to enjoy the match at the Stade Louis II.

 

 

 

“We must be ambitious”

by: Luke Entwistle
21/01/2022

Having secured his first victory as Monaco manager last weekend, Philippe Clement set out his more long-term ambitions in a pre-match conference before Sunday’s match against Montpellier.

On Friday, the Belgian manager told Monaco Life that he expects a tough challenge on Sunday, especially given his side’s difficulties on the road this season. “Montpellier have proved their quality over the past months. You see in the table that there isn’t much of a big points gap between us, so it’s a big match.” Clement added, “I’ve seen over the past months that Monaco hasn’t taken many points away from home, so it’s a challenge for the group to take the three points from there.”

Clement was also unequivocal in his ambition to climb the table, telling the assembled press that, “We can’t be happy being sixth (in the Ligue 1 table). We must be ambitious, but we mustn’t become nervous about the gap with other teams.”

The teams come into the fixture separated by only two points, but the conditions in which the respective camps come into the match could hardly be more disparate. Whilst Monaco have blossomed since Clement’s arrival, Montpellier are yet to win in Ligue 1 in 2022.

Last week’s defeat at home to relegation candidates Troyes was particularly damaging, with the red card picked up by Montpellier playmaker Teji Savanier leaving him suspended for Monaco’s visit.

Monaco, however, also come into the fixture with a depleted roster. Cesc Fabregas’ positive Covid test last week is a set-back in his return to the fore. Monaco Life attended group training in La Turbie on Friday and can confirm the ongoing absences of Benoit Badiashile, Myron Boadu and Djibril Sidibe, all of whom continue to recover from the muscular injuries picked up against Nantes. The latter did engage in some light personal training, but was not involved with the group. They are joined by Eliot Matazo, who was also absent from training on Friday.

Although Aleksandr Golovin is back in group training, Clement isn’t confident that the midfielder will be ready for Montpellier. Monaco will hope that his absence won’t be pivotal, and that they can build upon last week’s emphatic victory, and close the gap on the Champions League places.

 

Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

 

 

 

ASM tactical analysis: Flexibility, pigeons and the no.10 role

by: Luke Entwistle
19/01/2022

Philippe Clement’s reign as Monaco manager is only two games old, but the Belgian is wasting no time in implementing his style. However, he told Monaco Life that there are still issues to resolve.

AS Monaco’s emphatic 4-0 victory put paid to any notion that Clement wouldn’t be able to produce the same kind of attacking football that won him three consecutive league titles in his home country.

In the post-match press conference on Sunday, Clement once again set out the style in which he wants his team to perform. “We want to play a type of football that is very offensive, with a lot of plays within the opposition half, with a lot of players making forward runs.”

Despite a positive showing, it is clear that Clement is – understandably – still experimenting in order to find his best system.

Formational flexibility

The interchangeability, especially in the forward positions, made it difficult to discern Monaco’s formation for large periods, especially during the first-half. In the opening stages, Monaco were seemingly deploying a 3-1-4-2, but the emphasis under Clement has been more defined by player roles rather than positions, and the team’s set-up is more easily understood through this lens.

Aurelien Tchouameni played throughout as the deepest lying no.6 midfielder, Ismail Jakobs and Gelson Martins provided the width on the flanks, with the former slotting into a more conventional back four out of possession. Jean Lucas had the most fluid role, sometimes dropping deep to form a pivot with Tchouameni, filling in for Martins on the right flank and forming a dual no.10 role with Caio Henrique, who was once again deployed further up the pitch, at least in the first-half.

Within this there was a lot of interchangeability with Jakobs often switching with Henrique on the left, Jean Lucas switching with Martins on the right and Sofiane Diop often dropping deeper into the half-spaces between the two wide players.

On numerous occasions, this created scenarios where six Monaco players were playing on the Clermont back-line providing plenty of opportunities for overloads, especially on the flanks.

Jakobs departure for Wissam Ben Yedder at half-time triggered a change in shape, with Henrique retreating to his more familiar left-back berth and the team setting up in a more conventional 4-2-3-1. Kevin Volland dropped back into a no.10 role, Diop reverted back to his wide-left position, Martins played more as a conventional winger and Jean Lucas joined Tchouameni in defensive midfield.

By the end of the match, Monaco’s set-up had changed once again into a 4-4-2, or a 4-2-2-2, with Henrique and Ruben Aguilar providing the majority of the width, which was duly exploited by the former who netted his first goal for the club.

The reason for this is two-fold, as Clement explained to Monaco Life, “For the moment we are missing quite a few important players, so it’s getting to know the players and experimenting and reacting to situations.” The former Club Brugge manager added, “I always want to create wherever I am, not a team that can play one system because that’s too easy for the opponent to stop, but a versatile group of players that can play in different systems, in different ways.”

The formational tinkering for Clement therefore serves a purpose both in the short-term and in the long-term as he seeks to mould a team in his image.

The search for a No.10 continues

Volland, Diop, Henrique and Jean Lucas have all undertaken the task of being Monaco’s no.10 under Clement. However, none have yet fulfilled the manager’s criteria for the playmaker role. Following the victory against Clermont, he told Monaco Life, “You have Caio, Kevin, Sofiane and Jean Lucas who can play there in different ways. Maybe there will be other players who also show themselves because it’s a nice role to play.”

All of the aforementioned players had the opportunity to play in the role on Sunday, either on their own or in a dual 10 partnership. Questioned by Monaco Life on Diop’s suitability to the role in particular, Clement said, “Sofiane has qualities to play in this position, but he’s not a typical playmaker… he’s not someone who distributes a lot of balls.”

The new manager therefore demands a lot from his playmaker, and he outlined the three specific characteristics that he is looking for in his ideal conceptualisation of the role. “You can be decisive with a pass, a run or a finish. I hope to find someone who can do all of these. That would be very nice”

Aleksandr Golovin, a more conventional no.10 has yet to play since Clement’s arrival due to injury, and could well be the solution to the issue. “We’ll see over the next couple of weeks and months.” In that time, Clement is hoping that someone internally can posit themselves as a genuine candidate for the role. However, Clement’s citation of a two-week time frame, coincidentally the amount of time remaining in the transfer window, at least hints at the possibility that an external candidate could be on the cards.

Pigeons and action zones

The large flock of pigeons that guarded the space behind the Monaco defence in sweeper like fashion for large parts of the match caught the attention of many in attendance, including the cameraman. Their presence and ignorance to the ongoing match was a reflection of how dominant Monaco were, how little of the game was played in their own third.

A meagre 23% of the game was played in Monaco’s third, compared to the 32% played in the Clermont third. Even more starkly, Monaco had 168 touches in the opposition third and 33 touches in Clermont’s penalty area. Their opponents could only muster 108 touches in Monaco’s third and only eight touches in their area.

The pigeons’ presence was merely a visual representation of this dominance, illustrating almost comically how little threat was posed by the away side. Key to Monaco’s success at repelling Clermont’s threat was Clement’s insistence on occupying en-masse the opposition half. This condensed the space and subsequently blocked passing lanes that were essential to Clermont’s ball progression.

Tchouameni was also integral to Monaco’s success. The Frenchman, far from having plateaued under Niko Kovac’s stewardship, has kicked on even further since Clement’s arrival. Having provided an exhibition in intercepting and progressing the ball against Nantes the week before, his tackling came to the fore on Sunday. His eight tackles in the match are more than he has registered in any other game in the 2021-2022 season.

Clement is clearly still trying to get all the pieces of the puzzle to fit, but it’s always a good sign if the team can collect some confidence-boosting, emphatic victories in the process.

 

 

Photo of Philippe Clement by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life