Monaco wary before Gornik Zabrze trip in Conference League play-off first leg | OneFootball

Monaco are taking a cautious line ahead of Thursday's Conference League play-off first leg at Gornik Zabrze, with Filipe Luis and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky stressing the threat posed by the Poles. Kick-off is at 20:00 in Poland.

At Wednesday's pre-match briefing, Filipe Luis noted that Michal Gasparik's side have clear ideas, dangerous wingers, quick transitions and technical quality, so he expects a stubborn opponent, though he said Monaco are ready. According to L'Équipe, he called the Conference League a fine competition they look forward to, accepted mixed fitness levels but insisted that is no excuse given the squad's quality.

Hradecky admitted a little apprehension before the first real game after a pre-season that mixed promising displays with others that could have been better. He rated Gornik highly, saying they troubled Fenerbahçe and he felt they were stronger than Ferencvaros, with 0-1 and 1-1 in both ties, and warned Monaco cannot assume superiority.

Since Friday's 0-2 friendly defeat to Coventry, Monaco have sharpened their pressing. With 78 goals conceded last season, Hradecky said the team may have been too disorganised or sat too deep, and that a hybrid defence and game-reading, led by experienced players, will be key.

Several youngsters could feature in Poland as Monaco remain short of players, and Filipe Luis believes they are ready to help. Ansu Fati is out, Mamadou Coulibaly and Alexandre Golovine are suspended, Matthis Abline is a doubt and Folarin Balogun is more likely to play next week, with the latter two missing Wednesday's late-morning session.

Source: L'Équipe

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