AS Monaco is in doubt. With eight goals conceded, two exceptions and two defeats in their last two matches, the Monegasque team presents countless questions this Wednesday in Cyprus. But with strong new signing Paul Pogba returning to the pitch this Saturday after more than two years and an 18-month suspension due to his positive testosterone test.
After ten minutes of playing at Rennes, the former French international did not get a chance to shine in the Champions League. And he was undoubtedly indebted to the clumsiness of his team-mates, who failed to cover despite an opener from Takumi Minamino (0-1, 5th) and a second from Folarin Balogun (1-2, 26th) following an equalizer from the immortal David Luiz, author of a superb header from a corner (18th).
But the Monegasque side suffered especially in the second half, racking up stupid ball losses and technical errors that are surprising at this level. Courageous, the Cypriot team believed in their dream and fought until the last minute to take the 6th point since the start of C1. They finally got it in the 88th minute after Mohammed Salisu’s own goal, plunging Monaco into crisis three days before hosting PSG in Ligue 1.
Pogba was nailed to the bench
In this context and considering the Monegasque excitement, Paul Pogba has no opinion on the matter. On Saturday, the former Juventus midfielder continued to impress with his technical ease and baffling ease after so long away from the field. A quality that might just help his teammates avoid this terrible humiliation.
“I’m relieved to be back in football, the thing I love most in the world,” he admitted after the match on Saturday. I had this image in my head for months, I said to myself: Ah you’ll be back, you’ll be playing again. (…) Now there is still work to do to get back to top condition and try to play 90 minutes of matches. » It was undoubtedly the pace of the match and lack of physical preparation that pushed Sébastien Pocognoli without his services.
The unsinkable David Luiz
Another attraction of this meeting is called David Luiz. Returning to Europe for his final assignment at the age of 38 this summer, the Brazilian defender started, and even scored his third goal with Pafos, confirming that he is still at that level. “David really is an example for the whole team,” his French teammate Axel Guessand told us on Monday. Seeing him bring energy every day in practice and performing in games is mind-blowing. »
While he was not helped by teammate David Goldar in defense and constantly had to plug holes, the former Parisian stood out by scoring the equalizer with an impressive helmet kick from a corner. He hasn’t scored in the Champions League for eight years. Proof that with a desire to win and a love of football, age is sometimes just a number.
