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Is Stade Louis II getting a revamp?

by: Luke Entwistle
06/09/2022

Speaking at the inauguration of AS Monaco’s new training centre in La Turbie, CEO Jean-Emmanuel de Witt revealed discussions between the club and the Monaco government are taking place over the future of Stade Louis II.

The Principality club will celebrate its centenary in 2024, and whilst Monaco already have a brand new elite-level training facility perched upon the rocks above the Principality, could they have a new stadium to match?

The Stade Louis II is an iconic stadium, instantly recognisable and memorable for its arches and unique architecture. But fans of the club have this season protested about its current state.

Monaco’s Ultras unfurled a banner during the club’s recent match against RC Lens, describing the Stade Louis II as “empty” and “decrepit” and calling for the government to act.

Monaco’s Ultras unfurl a banner of discontent at the Stade Louis II, photo by Monaco Life

The 16,000-seater stadium was inaugurated back in 1985 by Prince Rainier III and has changed little since.

But on Monday, AS Monaco CEO Jean-Emmanuel de Witt alluded to the possibility of work being done on the iconic venue in the not-so distant future.

“We hope, and we are already in discussions with the Monégasque authorities to consider work on the stadium, which are already planned,” said de Witt in Tuesday’s training facility unveiling. “We just need to define the exact outline and the timings. It is a very, very important topic for our development. We have seen stadiums, for example the one we visited on Sunday [OGC Nice’s Allianz Riviera], that are far ahead of us.”

Whilst the Stade Louis II is also used to host the Herculis athletics event in the summer, as well as a range of other annual events, AS Monaco are “by far the biggest user of the stadium”, as de Witt stated, and the club are therefore hoping to replicate what has been done in La Turbie, in Monaco.

“It is very important for the spectacle, but also for the players, to accompany them with the necessary infrastructure during the match and also to accompany our fans,” de Witt concluded.

The Prince’s government is yet to confirm talks between the two entities.

 

SEE ALSO:

AS MONACO’S TRAINING CENTRE INAUGURATED IN STAR-STUDDED CELEBRATION

 

Photo of the Stade Louis II by Monaco Life

 

 

 

 

F1 stars warm-up for Monaco Grand Prix in free-scoring charity match

by: Luke Entwistle
25/05/2022

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz lined-up alongside two star-studded teams at the Stade Louis II on Tuesday for the World Stars football match at the Stade Louis II.

Fans streamed in to watch the spectacle, many of whom were clearly here for the Grand Prix weekend and were eager to watch some of the best drivers in the world try their hand at another sport. They were not disappointed, as well as Leclerc and Sainz, Pierre Gasly, Daniil Kvyat, Fernando Alonso and Lucas Di Grassi were all present.

Pre-match, Prince Albert II and Prince Jacques greeted the players of both sides, as well as Francesco Totti, who despite not featuring in the game itself, was nonetheless present to give his support to the teams and to the charitable cause.

It was an entertaining, open game of many opportunities. Gasly, who has the precision to navigate the narrow streets of the Principality, didn’t quite have the magic touch on the football field. Many chances fell his way, but he couldn’t convert, as fine margins were often the difference.

The scoring was opened by an incredible long-range curling free-kick from Vincent Candela, who reacted with the an ambivalent noncholance that insinuated that he, the former World Cup winner, was well used to producing such magical moments on a regular basis.

As a thunderstorm struck the stadium at the beginning of the second-half, it began raining goals on the pitch. The Star Team for the Children doubled the scoring, the All Stars Formula 1 Drivers then grabbed one back, before the former’s two goal advantage was restored.

Although the home crowd were eager to witness a  Leclerc goal, it was his team-mate Sainz that proved to be the gamechanger. Two goals from the Ferrari driver in a matter of seconds wiped away the deficit.

Clearly as at home on a football pitch as he is at the wheel of a single-seater, Sainz dictated play and was the most dangerous player on the pitch, some fingertip saves denying the Spaniard a deserved hat-trick.

But neither side could break the deadlock and 3-3 it remained, both teams happy with their showing and for having raised money for an important cause.

The event raised funds to help children all over the world, the importance of the cause was highlighted by former AS Monaco winger Jerôme Rothen post-match, who said, “It’s essential that children are in good health, and that their health is improved and taken care of in good conditions.”

The event certainly helped towards achieving this goal, whilst entertaining fans in the warm-up to what is the biggest weekend in the Monegasuqe sporting calendar.

 

Photo source: Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department

 

 

 

Fans and club in unison as AS Monaco’s final challenge awaits

by: Luke Entwistle
19/05/2022

Players and supporters alike revelled in the “good vibes” during an open training session at the Stade Louis II on Wednesday, as AS Monaco prepare for their final game of the Ligue 1 season.

Prior to Wednesday’s session, the club recognised the unwavering support of the fan groups as they were presented with the new AS Monaco 2022/23 home kit by owner Dimitry Rybolovlev before last Saturday’s match against Brest.

The 18 fan groups, from all across France and even Italy, are what give Monaco their motto “Everywhere. Always.”. The groups are largely responsible for the club filling the away ends matches across the country, and they will do so once more before the season’s end.

In under a day, Monaco sold their 1,000-seat allocation for the trip to RC Lens on Saturday, where just a draw will suffice to earn them a place on the Ligue 1 podium. For those who don’t have the opportunity to make the trip up north, there is an exciting alternative right here in the Principality.

A giant screen will be erected in front of the Pésage stand of the Stade Louis II, which will broadcast the game live. It will be a spectacular open-air cinema experience, with the stadium’s iconic arches towering above the screen. With qualification for the Champions League on the line, there is bound to be a great atmosphere in a stand that is usually inhabited by the club’s Ultras group.

Tickets for the event can be bought at www.billeterie.asmonaco.com, or from the Stade Louis II ticket office. Access is free for season ticket holders, whilst general admission will cost just €5. VIP access is available for €70 (without tax), and can be bought by contacting gmotyka@asmonaco.com.

Fans can arrive from 8pm and a whole host of pre-match, half-time and post-match activities have been planned, and mascot Bouba will also be in attendance.

Before making the trip, fans descended on the stadium on Wednesday to attend an opening training session. On a hot day in the Principality, nearly 300 fans came to watch the likes of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Wissam Ben Yedder prepare for the big fixture. There was no shortage of determination and effort from the players, but all of them still mustered the energy to engage with fans after the session as they posed for pictures, chatted and signed autographs.

As Tchouaméni and Youssouf Fofana revealed post-session, not only was this a great event to allow fans to feel even closer to the club, it was also beneficial for the players themselves. “They’ve given us energy and good vibes,” said Fofana. “It’s a pleasure to train in front of the public.”

Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

 

 

 

Impressive AS Monaco secure Europa League progression

by: Luke Entwistle
26/11/2021

AS Monaco booked their place in the Europa league play-offs thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 against La Liga highfliers Real Sociedad, as Prince Albert II watched on from the stands.
Nico Kovac lived up to his pre-match promise of providing an attacking display as he named four attackers in his line-up as well as a pair of attacking wing-backs in the form of Caio Henrique and Djibril Sidibé. There was, however, no space in the matchday squad for Aurelién Tchouaméni who picked up a niggle in training, though Kovac assured that the injury wasn’t severe, stating that he was “very positive that he is able to play on Sunday”.
Despite the best efforts of a sizeable and buoyant away support, Real Sociedad failed to gain a foothold in the early stages. AS Monaco were able to control the match, but without posing a threat. That changed mid-way through the half, however, as a Kevin Volland tap-in sparked the game into life. Much of the credit for the opener must go to Aleksandr Golovin, who was a thorn in Real Sociedad’s side all night, as he laid the ball on a plate for the German striker to convert.
What followed was a frenzied 10 minutes of football. Aleksandr Isak restored parity with a cheeky chip past Aleksandr Nübel to send the away section into raptures. But that joy was short lived as Youssouf Fofana immediately restored ASM’s advantage, heading in from a yard out to register his first goal for the Principality side.

With a lead to preserve, the second-half was inevitably a much cagier affair, but ASM were resolute, sitting in a well-organised, compact low block. Real Sociedad were largely deprived of any chances, but were given a boost late-on as Fofana, having earlier scored, was harshly shown red for a late challenge. With only a matter of minutes to capitalise on their numerical advantage, Sociedad pushed for a winner. half-chances fell to Maxime Le Marchand and Mikel Oyarzabal, but neither could convert.
The tension in the stadium during the six minutes of stoppage time was palpable, as fans urged the referee to blow for full time. When the final whistle did eventually go, it was a moment of great catharsis; all of the tension gave way to jubilation as ASM secured their playoff spot in-front of Prince Albert II, who watched on, proudly from the box.

Photo of Prince Albert at a Thursday night’s match, source: AS Monaco

Kovac was understandably in good spirits in the post-match conference, and lavished his players with praise: “Today I am proud and happy with the team’s performance. This evening is proof that when you play with passion, you can earn good results. If we keep these ingredients, my team can do beautiful things.”
Kovac will be hoping for a similar display on Sunday as attention turns back to Ligue 1 with another match at the Stade Louis II against Strasbourg.