Zakaria, Akliouche and Balogun driving Monaco’s top-four charge | OneFootball

Monaco’s 3-1 win at PSG on Friday underlined a timely revival powered by Denis Zakaria, Maghnes Akliouche and Folarin Balogun. A push for a Champions League return is back on as the top four comes into view.

They have five wins from their last six league games, including 3-2 at Lens and 3-1 in Paris. L'Équipe notes that this surge has been underpinned by the renewed form of key leaders.

Zakaria, hampered earlier by muscle issues and two short bans, has flourished since the 0-0 with Juventus on 28 January, when a back three was introduced. His pace, anticipation and composure on the ball help break lines. That switch coincided with Lamine Camara’s return from the Africa Cup of Nations, which helped absorb the midfield loss.

Akliouche’s season had stalled and doubts were growing over a recall to Didier Deschamps’ next squad. He began on the bench against Rennes on 31 January, a 4-0 win, then a hip problem at Nantes on 13 February, a 3-1 victory, offered a breather. He scored in both games at the Parc des Princes and delivered performances befitting an international.

Of the trio, Balogun has been the most consistent, impressing even before the team clicked. He hit a brace in the play-off first leg at PSG, a 2-3 defeat on 17 February, and has scored in each of the last three league matches, also supplying Akliouche on Friday. His pressing is another important factor, and while the World Cup is a target, there is more to pursue with Monaco first.

Source: L'Équipe