Monaco vs Nantes preview - Diallo eager to prove himself
Posted Saturday, January 17, 2015 by PA
Abdou Diallo is determined to take the chance that appears to have opened up for him at Monaco.
The 18-year-old, who can play either in defence or midfield, made his fourth professional appearance for the club in Wednesday's Coupd de la Ligue victory over Guingamp.
Diallo came on as a 52nd-minute substitute in place of Tiemoue Bakayoko after he suffered a thigh injury, and the youngster will hope to keep his place for Saturday's Ligue 1 clash with Nantes.
Diallo told a press conference: "I'm happy to show that I'm ready to play and bring something to the team.
"My goal is to take my chance when it arises and impose myself here. I have a lot of work to do and everything to prove, I know that."
Coach Leonardo Jardim will not be afraid to play Diallo, saying: "We strongly believe in him. He is young but, if we need him, he will play."
The teenager, meanwhile, cited experienced former France international Jeremy Toulalan as a key influence.
Diallo said of the 31-year-old: "He's one of my role models here. He is always consistent and he brings a lot to the team on the pitch."
Fifth-placed Monaco saw a seven-match winning run ended by a draw with Bordeaux last weekend but are unbeaten since the end of November.
Nantes are only two points and two places below Monaco and will look to get back to winning ways following a midweek cup loss to Lille.
They will be without Kian Hansen, who is set to be sidelined for six weeks with a knee injury, while Papy Djilobodji is at the African Nations Cup.
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