Monaco’s crisis intensified on Friday night as they slumped to a 3-1 home defeat against Lorient in Ligue 1. The result extended their dreadful run to seven losses in their last eight league matches, leaving them in ninth place and 12 points behind third-placed Marseille. The Stade Louis II was sparsely populated, with ultras boycotting the first 45 minutes and home fans ironically cheering 'olé' as Lorient dominated the closing stages. Calls for CEO Thiago Scuro’s resignation were heard from the stands.
Scuro, who sacked manager Adi Hütter in October and replaced him with Sébastien Pocognoli, had warned before the season that finishing in the top three was 'crucial' due to financial pressures. He has repeatedly highlighted the struggles of French football, citing a 30% reduction in TV rights and UEFA’s salary cap changes. The club’s summer transfer strategy has been criticised for taking excessive risks on injury-prone players, including Paul Pogba and Ansu Fati.
Pogba, signed after nearly two years without playing, has featured for only 1% of Monaco’s minutes this season and has missed the last month with a calf injury. Scuro admitted that Pogba’s 'programme is not working' and that a summer discussion may be needed. Fati has played just 26% of minutes, while Eric Dier, Lukas Hradecky and Stanis Idumbo have also spent significant time on the sidelines. The club’s injury crisis has been described by Scuro as their 'biggest liability', and an audit of the medical department has revealed 'weak points'.
Pocognoli said after the defeat that he 'expected more from some players', with key figures such as Maghnes Akliouche and captain Denis Zakaria underperforming. Monaco now face a daunting trip to Real Madrid in the Champions League, with little respite from their domestic woes. The club’s financial situation means they need to sell a player before July, adding further urgency to their predicament.
