Mamadou Coulibaly shines on Monaco’s right as midfielder adapts to new role | OneFootball

Mamadou Coulibaly starred on Monaco’s right as the 22-year-old scored and assisted to knock out Gornik Zabrze and book Conference League qualification, an eye-catching turn for a midfielder by trade.

According to L'Équipe, Monaco targeted his wing and new head coach Filipe Luis barked instructions from close quarters. Coulibaly set up Paris Brunner on 30 minutes, then shifted onto his right to drive in on 43.

Luis felt his intensity dipped early as he juggled carrying the ball, attacking space and defensive cover, a touchline reminder followed. He had been used there before by Sébastien Pocognoli, notably at Paris FC, and by Gérald Baticle with France Under-21s, but this time it is a longer-term plan.

Coulibaly’s rise comes after a lost year with serious knee problems, a ruptured cruciate in May 2024 on his Ligue 1 debut, then a winter sprain. A Diagonale graduate, he had mainly played as a six or eight, alongside Aladji Bamba, now at Newcastle. Luis intends to keep him wide as Monaco wait to see whether priority target Farès Ghedjemis arrives from Frosinone.

He said the role is new, he is learning to attack depth and play with his back to goal, and must be more aggressive one-v-one. He won 10 of 11 duels and all three tackles, then went off just after the hour to be protected before hosting Marseille on Sunday. Monaco will look to extend his deal once the window closes, his contract runs to 2028.

Source: L'Équipe

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