‘We’ll have to be even more attentive’ – OGC Nice’s Francesco Farioli wary of Monaco reaction | OneFootball

OGC Nice manager Francesco Farioli has said that he isn’t taking Sunday’s Côte d’Azur lightly, despite AS Monaco’s recent dip in form.

Heading into the match at the Allianz Riviera, the two teams are in contrasting form. Nice are Paris Saint-Germain’s closest challenger for the Ligue 1 title, whilst they will also face Les Parisiens in the quarter-final of the Coupe de France after beating Montpellier HSC in Wednesday’s Round of 16 encounter.

Monaco meanwhile, are winless in Ligue 1 in 2024 and have dropped out of the UEFA Champions League places for the first time all season. They were also stunned by National 1 side Rouen in the Coupe de France on Thursday, losing on penalties. Having had one day less to recover and off the back of some negative results, Monaco are in a difficult phase, but there is no chance of Farioli underestimating Les Monégasques.

‘If we are 1% below our usual levels of intensity, the match will be very difficult’ – Farioli

“We’ll have to be even more attentive. When a team like Monaco is wounded, they are looking to get back on track. I saw Adi Hütter’s and Thilo Kehrer’s comments post-match and they said they were already focused on the match against us and with a huge desire to fight back,” said the Italian in a press conference, attended by Get French Football News.

He added, “For them, without a doubt, this game will be like a final. It could get their league season back on track. When you are playing against a team that is fighting for its life, you also have to play for your life. If we are 1% below our usual levels of intensity, the match will be very difficult.”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle