The Reds and Whites' good form by the numbers
Once again very solid on Sunday evening, Niko Kovac and his players logically dominated FC Nantes at the Stade de la Beaujoire (a 2-1 win). A fourth goal in the last five games for Guillermo Maripán and then the eleventh of the season for Kevin Volland were enough for the Monegasques, who made their grip on fourth place in the table that much stronger.
🎦⚽️ Magnifique ballon de Djibril Sidibe pour Guillermo Maripán, qui inscrit de la tête son 4ème but en 5 matchs et ouvre le score face à Nantes. 🔥
𝑬𝒍 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓 🇨🇱
#FCNASM pic.twitter.com/mEUjs5BhN4
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) February 1, 2021
A significant points total
Already with 42 points in the bank,Niko Kovac’s men have already done better in 22 matches than the entire 2018-2019 season (36) as well as 2019-2020, stopped after 28 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic (40 points). The Red and Whites are thus on pace to match the 2017-2018 season (43 points after 22 days), at the end of which they had come second place.
As evidenced by the impact of substitutes in recent weeks, the solidarity of Niko Kovac’s group is well established, as well as its rigor and investment. The statisticians at Stats Perform gave breakdown of this success ahead of the trip to Nantes, supporting how the Croatian coach’s proteges have managed to stifle opposing attacks, around the tandem of Youssouf Fofana and Aurélien Tchouameni in midfield.
A very good offensive return
At least one goal scored in their last 16 games, two or more goals in the last six: the Monegasques have been formidable in the opposing half. The third best attack in Ligue 1 (44 goals) has performed particularly well at set pieces. The goal scored by Guillermo Maripán against Nantes was the team’s 20th from a free kick the highest total in the five major European leagues. Corners, free kicks or penalties, AS Monaco has therefore become the dead ball specialist in Europe.
And none more than the in-form Chilean, who has been a defender with an innate eye for goal (6 goals and 1 assist in 33 L1 games), but the first season in Red and White for Kevin Volland has also been one to note. The German striker is already on 11 goals in Ligue 1, a league he is discovering and into which he has made a sensational entry. With six assists as well, he has been decisive 17 times (goals + assists) in all in just 20 games.
🎦⚽️ Caio Henrique 😍 ➡️ @KeVolland 💥
𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗲 ! 👌#FCNASM pic.twitter.com/taqLIjnQH4— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) February 1, 2021
A young and dynamic squad
With the German forward and captain Wissam Ben Yedder (9 goals), AS Monaco have two players among the top 10 goalscorers in Ligue 1. The Principality club has also trusted in its young players. With an average age of less than 24 this Monaco side is both one of the youngest and one of the most successful in Europe. Benoît Badiashile (19), Youssouf Fofana (22), Aurélien Tchouaméni (21) and Sofiane Diop (20) have managed, match after match, to demonstrate their potential within a side in which winter signing Krépin Diatta (21) made his full debut with enthusiasm against Nantes.
Still discovering the highes level, this generation can boast of some convincing results this season to date. The win at Nice in the Côte-d’Azur Derby (2-1), was followed by big wins against PSG (3-2) and OM (3-1), two opponents who have not been very successful against the Monegasques in recent seasons.
The table: four by four
It’s now four consecutive matchdays in which AS Monaco have been fourth. Now six points ahead of Stade Rennais (who have a game in hand) and eight over promoted Metz, Niko Kovac’s men have consolidated their position in the table. But as the coach rightly recalled after the fifth straight victory against Nantes: “The road is still long”. Sixteen matches, to be precise. Next step: the derby against OGC Nice, this Wednesday at the Stade Louis-II (9 PM).
