Threatened seriously by relegation, Monaco will look for every point they can possibly get between now and the end of the term, though Sunday’s fixture against Olympique de Marseille looks to be a difficult one for the principality club.
With a meagre tally of three wins all season, les Monegasques have installed Laurent Banide as the man to lead them out of this remarkably barren spell. Guy Lacombe’s rather abrasive and conservative approach won him few friends in the support, leading to Banide promising a more attack-minded Monaco in the future.
His opening game in charge ended in a 1-1 draw against Auxerre. Adriano may have scored a fine acrobatic effort for les Rouge et Blanc, but this was not a performance from which a great deal of optimism could be taken. Chances were few and far between for the visitors, who have been lacking an offensive edge to their play this season.
Dieumerci Mbokani was supposed to be the man to bang in the goals on the Mediterranean coast, but he became another relatively big name striker to flop at the Stade Louis II and has been ushered out the door on loan to Wolfsburg, unlikely to ever return. On the other hand, Mahamadou Diarra was been acquired from Real Madrid in an attempt to provide some experience and stability in the team, but they will need more than that to compete against OM.
Getting Back In Gear
Marseille are a side not prospering as they might. Lying fifth in the Ligue 1 standings, the defending champions remain one of the favourites to pick up the crown in May, but at the same time they are six points off the pace of leaders Lille and have endured some rather questionable form over the last month-and-a-half.
A 1-0 derby defeat in Nice started the rot, which continued with a sequence of draws and wouldn’t be properly ended until a fortnight ago, when Didier Deschamps’ men got the better of Girondins de Bordeaux at the Stade Velodrome. That performance was much more like it from les Phoceens, who prospered through goals from Andre-Pierre Gignac and Brandao.
At times their striking duo has been maligned this season – and not without cause – but this pair also helped OM by Auxerre into the final of the Coupe de la Ligue, which they can look forward to in April.
Unlike Sunday’s hosts, Marseille have made no tracks to make additions to their squad in January. Real Sociedad prospect Antoine Griezmann has been tentatively examined, but despite Mathieu Valbuena being ruled out for six weeks, no concrete steps have been taken to add depth to Deschamps’ squad.
OM still boast a formidable unit, and worrying for Monaco, there have been signs of it clicking into gear recently.
TEAM NEWS
Monaco
Djimi Traore is out for the duration of the season, while Cedric Mongongu is unavailable for this match. In addition, Nicolas Nkoulou is banned.
Mahamadou Diarra’s registration will have to be rushed through if he is to play any part on Sunday.
Marseille
Worries over Edouard Cisse and Gabriel Heinze have been allayed, and instead only long-term victim Cesar Azpilicueta and Mathieu Valbuena miss out because of injury. Brandao is suspended, though.
Prediction
A tight game is likely in store. Monaco have made draws their speciality this season, and though a rampant Marseille side would overcome the hosts, OM are not at their peak at present. Still, Didier Deschamps’ side should have the edge, especially after their recent victories.
AS Monaco FC 1-2 Marseille 
