Prudence the keyword as AS Monaco look to wrap up Champions League qualification

In what was described by Adi Hütter as a “decisive” week, AS Monaco have made considerable strides towards securing a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. Victories against Stade Brestois and then Lille OSC, both direct rivals for the podium, leave the Principality club within touching distance of their objective. However, ahead of the final game of the “decisive” week, against Olympique Lyonnais, Les Monégasques have struck a cautious tone. 

“Our goal is to finish second. We haven’t achieved anything yet and we need to stay focused, stay unbeaten. We want to continue our strong results away from home. To do that, we’ll need a very good performance,” said Hütter, at a press conference, attended by Get French Football News. 

🔴⚪️ Le maître mot à l’#ASMonaco – prudence.

«On n’a rien accompli déjà. Il faut qu’on reste concentré, invaincu pour atteindre l’objectif» – Hütter.

«Hütter nous a bien refroidi après la victoire. On n’a pas peur de l’euphorie mais ça serait mieux de l’éviter» – Fofana. pic.twitter.com/IHLRe298Zi

— Luke Entwistle (@LukeEntwistle) April 26, 2024

Hütter has very much set the tone since that win against Lille on Wednesday, with Youssouf Fofana revealing that the Austrian manager brought the dressing room back down to earth straight away. According to the Frenchman, it would be a good idea to avoid any sense of euphoria until the job is done. 

“We don’t fear euphoria but if we can avoid it, with the young players that we have, that would be good,” said the Monaco midfielder, linked with a summer move away from the Principality club. Prudence is the keyword at Monaco but there is no denying that the club are closing in for their first Champions League group-stage qualification since the 2018/19 season.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle