Sébastien Pocognoli and Monaco aim to build on PSG display and revive European push | OneFootball

Monaco exited the Champions League play-offs after stretching PSG across 2-3 and 2-2, yet a five-game unbeaten run and a 3-2 win at Lens on Saturday point to an upswing. Sébastien Pocognoli wants his side to turn that into a late push for Europe.

L'Équipe notes that the squad had to digest the defeat, accept Mamadou Coulibaly’s contentious red card and stop replaying Wout Faes’s header that might have forced extra time. They also felt some first-leg calls went against them.

Monaco leaned into their football, pressed hard in the return leg and took risks, yet left the Parc frustrated. In the dressing room, Pocognoli told them he was proud, said they had earned respect across France and Europe, and urged them to chase Europe through the league. Jordan Teze said they had shown character and identity.

The upturn shows in Ligue 1. An unbeaten run of five, three wins and two draws, has lifted them, with fourth place, a Champions League route via two qualifying rounds, closer than it has been. Monaco are eighth, six points off Marseille, with Lille, Rennes and Strasbourg between.

The run-in is testing, with trips to Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg, and home games against OM and Lille. Injuries are easing and youngsters such as Coulibaly and Aladji Bamba are adding depth, while Lamine Camara completed a praised midfield trio. Pocognoli, who has spoken of building for next season, cited the first half in Paris as the model, and Angers visit on Saturday at 19:00.

Source: L'Équipe