Sébastien Pocognoli’s Monaco reignite season with 3-1 in Paris and a hardened mindset | OneFootball

Monaco’s 3-1 win at Paris Saint-Germain on Friday, the champions’ first home league defeat after seven straight victories, showcased the revival led by 38-year-old Sébastien Pocognoli. According to Nice-Matin, his upbeat approach is starting to permeate the squad.

Only weeks ago, the picture was grim. A 1-3 loss to Lorient left Monaco mired in ninth, 10 points off fourth, then a 6-1 humbling at the Bernabeu on 20 January prompted frank exchanges between players and hierarchy.

Since then, they are unbeaten in seven Ligue 1 matches with five wins and two draws, conceding only four times. A return to a back three in eight of the last 10 outings, something the dressing room had requested, has tightened the structure and reinforced collective effort.

At the Parc des Princes, Monaco ceded possession, alternated a high press with a compact block and were ruthless, scoring three from six shots on target while overwhelming PSG’s midfield. Staff influence showed too, with Kévin Mirallas drilling the attacking pattern finished by Folarin Balogun.

Pocognoli has now beaten Luis Enrique twice in four meetings, matching the tally achieved by Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte. Monaco sit fifth, three points behind Marseille in fourth, which brings a Champions League play-off. Captain Denis Zakaria stressed a game-by-game focus, and Pocognoli urged restraint, recalling the bleak run between November and January and pointing to Brest next Saturday at 21:05 as the next test.

Source: Nice-Matin