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AS Monaco Grapples with Injury Woes Ahead of Lyon Clash; Dier Returns

Monaco, France – AS Monaco faces a depleted squad for their upcoming Ligue 1 match against Lyon, with a string of injuries and international absences plaguing the team. Assistant coach Sébastien Pocognoli addressed the media, outlining the challenges and offering updates on key players.

The team will be without Lamine Camara and Krépin Diatta, both currently participating in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). Zakaria is suspended for the match. Adding to the woes, Pape Cabral is the latest addition to the injury list, suffering a hamstring injury. He joins Vanderson, Pogba, Fati, and Minamino on the sidelines.

While the injury situation remains concerning, there’s a glimmer of hope as Eric Dier returns to the squad after previously returning just before the break. “He was back just before the break in a collective way. He has just done a very good week of training,” said Pocognoli. The focus will now be on reintegrating him into match situations.

Regarding Lamine Camara, who sustained an ankle injury at the CAN, Pocognoli offered a positive update: “Apparently, it’s not very serious, so that’s positive. He will remain with his selection”.

The news is less encouraging for Takumi Minamino, who is recovering from a torn ACL. Pocognoli stated, “I haven’t seen him since his injury… He’s going to have a long rehabilitation. We hope [for his return] as quickly as possible. Maybe the World Cup will be a challenge for him, even if it will be a little tight.”

Pocognoli remained tight-lipped about return dates for key players like Paul Pogba and Ansu Fati, citing a lack of specific timelines. He similarly refrained from offering a concrete return date for Vanderson.

Looking ahead, Pocognoli emphasized the need for the team to improve their league position, currently trailing the top three by nine points. “We must not hide our faces: we must quickly return to the positions we want to be in,” he stated. He stressed the importance of maintaining consistency and building on the positive aspects of recent performances. He also revealed his message to the players: “a simply positive message: to continue the work started a few weeks ago.” A friendly match will be scheduled soon to give some minutes to players who need it.

The match against Lyon will be a test of Monaco’s squad depth and resilience as they navigate this challenging period.

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