Sébastien Pocognoli directs first AS Monaco training session | OneFootball

Sébastien Pocognoli directed his first training session as the new manager of AS Monaco on Tuesday afternoon. The Belgian signed a two-year deal with the Principality club over the weekend, replacing the incumbent, Adi Hutter.

Pocognoli led the training session alongside his assistant and childhood friend, Kevin Mirallas. It was a depleted Monaco squad that he directed, with many players still on international duty, and with plenty of others still injured.

The list of absentees was therefore very extensive. Lukas Hradecky and Lamine Camara remain absent through injury, and whilst Denis Zakaria was on the pitch towards the end of the 15 minutes of training open to the press, he was not involved.

Vanderson and Christian Mawissa were both present but trained individually. In terms of absent internationals, there was Caio Henrique, Mohammed Salisu, Maghnes Akliouche, Stanis Idumbo, Takumi Minamino, Krépin Diatta, Folarin Balogun, and Mika Biereth.

Paul Pogba, who, as per Nice-Matin, has suffered a minor setback in his return to full fitness, posted on Instagram showing himself in Dubai. He was absent from training, too.

Photo credit: Luke Entwistle

Photo credit: Luke Entwistle

Photo credit: Luke Entwistle

Photo credit: Luke Entwistle

Photo credit: Luke Entwistle

Aleksandr Golovin and Aladji Bamba, both of whom were injured prior to the international break, were both involved in group training and could return against SCO Angers this weekend.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco