Free-scoring Monaco pose difficult test for Man City and Guardiola

It was a statistic that had to be read twice to be believed. Monaco’s Ligue 1 goal difference heading into this weekend was one short of their two closest rivals combined.

The club from the principality has scored a staggering 76 goals already this season in the league, and over 100 in all competitions.

When you consider that in the previous three seasons Monaco’s best league total was 63, it’s easy to see why Manchester City and Pep Guardiola should be wary.

Leonardo Jardim, a man with a modest career in management prior to this, has guided Monaco to the top of Ligue 1, surging past the likes of PSG in second, and fairy-tale outfit Nice in third, doing so in style.

A considerable achievement for Jardim, the Portuguese coach has been rewarded for his pragmatism. Earlier in his tenure he lacked quality in the final third, so devised a more defensively focused approach.

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The team scored just four times in the Champions League group stages before handing Arsenal an embarrassing knock-out in the round of 16.

Two years on, and the return of Falcao and Valère Germain from loan spells has facilitated a more adventurous style of play. This season Jardim has experimented, but often tended to operate with a 4-4-2 formation, something few of his peers are doing at present.

At the back Kamil Glik is the linchpin. The Polish defender was raised on an estate called ‘Friendship’, but it was significantly more dangerous than its name might suggest. Signed from Torino in the summer, he has taken to Ligue 1 well, and grown significantly from the player that once had a spell with Real Madrid’s C team.

Another player that passed through the reserve side of Los Blancos was Fabinho. Sharing similarities to compatriot, and former City defender, Maicon, their careers have diverged of late. The 23-year-old began as a right-back, and has played there a number of times for Monaco, but this season he has forged a new reputation in the heart of midfield.

His performances have attracted attention from Manchester United and others, with his midfield partner Tiemoué Bakayoko also catching the eye due to his fantastic stamina and ball carrying ability.

The pair will sit in the middle and provide a defensive shield to the back four. Fabinho will also help dictate the tempo of the team, and allow Bernardo Silva and Thomas Lemar to wreak havoc in the final third.

On paper, Monaco’s midfield appears to be a typical flat four, but in possession it becomes far narrower. Silva’s guile and craft is complimented by Lemar’s dynamic running and aggressive style.

City is said to be interested in Lemar, with press reports last week expecting a bid in the summer. Many expect at least one of Monaco’s jewels to leave the crown, if only because it is their business plan.

The club that once paid vast sums for Falcao and Joao Moutinho have drastically evolved their transfer strategy in the last few years to sign younger players with growth potential.

Players such as Lemar typify that shift. Picked up for €3million from Caen, he has since gone on to thrive in Jardim’s counter-attacking side, with Monaco’s ability to transition quickly in no small part due to Lemar’s presence.

A devastating thing to witness, it is something City will most certainly need to be wary of. Elsewhere, the club began planning for the next generation by signing Franco Antonucci in January from Ajax for €3million.

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Not only importing talent though, Monaco are also producing it. Kylian Mbappe, likened to Thierry Henry, represents arguably one of France’s most exciting prospects. Quick, direct, and composed in the penalty box, some have even said the 18 year old is better than Henry was at the same age.

Jardim has used him sparingly, carefully nurturing his talent in an admirable way. “I have congratulated Kylian Mbappe for his three goals,” Jardim said after the Frenchman’s recent hat-trick. “He was great offensively, but I have [congratulated] him on his defensive work as well.”

Yet perhaps the most surprising development has been the form of Falcao. The Colombian endured two dismal seasons in English football with Chelsea and Manchester United before meekly returning to Ligue 1. Viewed as a player firmly on the decline, he has shed that perception with a fantastic showing this season.

Currently on 16 Ligue 1 goals, it is the first time he has surpassed broken double figures since leaving Atletico Madrid in 2013. The 31 year old will be first to admit that teammates have heavily influenced his achievement though.

Falcao plays up front with Valere Germain in a partnership that draws attention away from the Colombian while also allowing him to focus on being in the penalty box.

“We haven’t had to work on our understanding much, it came about very naturally,” he said. “The coach paired us up at the start of the season and it clicked straight away. We know that when one drops in, the other has to run in behind, we also do our bit defensively.

“I think we are two intelligent players who don’t need hundreds of pointers to know how to best help the team. We appreciate each other both on and off the pitch, and we both want to shine for our team.”

Now set to travel to the Etihad, Jardim will take confidence from his previous Champions League visits to England in which he earned wins against Arsenal and Tottenham.

A dangerous counter-attacking side with pace and power, Monaco must be shown respect by Guardiola, otherwise they could be the second French side to produce a Champions League shock in the knockout rounds.