Monaco vs Metz preview - Jardim: We'll give Metz the judders
Posted Friday, May 15, 2015 by PA
Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim is taking nothing for granted in the race for the Champions League ahead of Metz's visit on Saturday.
Metz have already been relegated from Ligue 1 but Jardim believes third-placed Monaco - who have a two-point advantage over Marseille and St Etienne - do not have an easy task against Les Grenats at the Stade Louis II.
"It will be difficult to play against a team who will not be (under) pressure," Jardim said on Monaco's official Twitter account.
Monaco's Champions League place was put under threat last weekend when Marseille staged a dramatic comeback against them to score twice in the last 10 minutes and win 2-1.
But Monaco showed their faith in Jardim in midweek when the Portuguese's contract was extended until the summer of 2019.
Jardim had originally been appointed on a two-year deal last summer which also had a one-year option tagged on.
"I want to continue to improve young players and maintain a quality group," Jardim said.
"I want to continue this project. I hope to continue to develop the club and play with ambition."
Jardim said the "collective" took responsibility for Marseille's dramatic comeback at the Stade Velodrome but Monaco remain favourites to claim France's final Champions League place with a final-day trip to Lorient following the visit of Metz.
Albert Cartier's side have won only two of their last 24 league games and lost their last three.
An embarrassing 4-0 home defeat to Lorient last weekend confirmed their relegation back to Ligue 2 after one season in the top flight.
"The team let go mentally. That's what happened," Metz winger Florent Malouda told football365.fr.
"All week the coach (Cartier) had told us to respect the club and those who love it.
"We had to make the same efforts and have same discipline. That's high-level football.
"These are the ingredients of professional soccer, to go out to the field with a minimum of pride, but I feel ashamed at what happened.
"The score was fair but I hope that we will be challenging for the last two games (against Monaco and Lille)."
Both former France international Malouda and Modibo Maiga are set to leave Metz at the end of the season but are part of an unchanged squad.
Monaco are without Aymen Abdennour for the remainder of the season after the influential central defender picked up a hamstring injury at Marseille.
Andrea Raggi will most likely partner Ricardo Carvalho with Fabinho operating at right-back.
Photos
More»
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Tottenham 0-2 Man City
Wednesday May 15 2024
JADE LEBOEUF has delighted fans with her latest Instagram post
Wednesday May 15 2024
‘World’s sexiest athlete’ Alica Schmidt
Tuesday May 14 2024
Your Say