Monaco’s revival gathers pace before Strasbourg Coupe de France test after 4-0 win over Rennes | OneFootball

Monaco thrashed Rennes 4-0 on Saturday, their first league win in two months, pulling to within four points of sixth, the final European place. Before Thursday’s Coupe de France last 16 at Strasbourg, the mood is brighter and a back three has steadied them.

In January, something shifted between a 6-1 hiding in Madrid and a 0-0 at Le Havre, with a players’ meeting and frank talks with the hierarchy. According to Nice-Matin, those conversations helped reset the group.

Three matches on, they have reached the Champions League play-offs, dismantled Rennes and revived top-six hopes, with three clean sheets in a row. Coaches of Juve and Rennes, Luciano Spalletti and Habib Beye, flagged Monaco’s intensity, physical edge, organisation and pace in attack in their press conferences.

Krépin Diatta said the Madrid debrief was beneficial, stressing greater intensity, desire to hurt opponents and the courage to press high in a league that is not easy.

Vice-captain Thilo Kehrer noted the attackers had rediscovered rhythm, with three Ligue 1 goals registered for the first time since late October, and spoke of a much-needed spark.

The uplift will mean little if they crash out in Strasbourg, and bringing the Coupe de France trophy back to Monaco is seen as the most concrete target for now, ahead of any Champions League run or Ligue 1 surge. Diatta maintained he will not settle for only the cup and believes a run could lift them up the table, insisting this is not a small team.

Source: Nice-Matin