Analysis: Dream AS Monaco debut for English star Eric Dier

Hardly putting a foot wrong on both sides of the ball, there was plenty to like about Eric Dier’s AS Monaco debut, which he fittingly marked with a fine goal.

From the first whistle, the seasoned stopper operated with composure, assuredness and clarity in the heart of defence beside rising star Christian Mawissa in what was a hugely accomplished man of the match display by the Englishman vs Le Havre.

While his powerful header drew the headlines, there were many other key aspects associated with his offensive work, with his positional sense, considered passing and tidy ball carrying all highlights.

To begin with his passing, and he was an instrumental figure in the team’s build-up, as he moved the ball smoothly and effectively under pressure while waiting for weaknesses in the opposition’s structure to emerge. Executing his passes cleanly and coherently, it was a joy to watch him demonstrate admirable patience while assessing his options before typically making the right decision.

Switching the angle of attacks shrewdly to ensure the wide players could be in ideal 1v1 situations and picking his moments when to hit penetrative line-breaking passes, these were crucial features as well on a night where he completed 108 of his 109 attempted passes. 

A brilliant example of his aptitude here arose when his precise vertical pass served as the catalyst for ASM to breathe life into the passage which led to the corner that he scored from.

“I just attacked the area where I was supposed to be and Lamine delivered a nice cross. We executed that move the way we wanted. I’m happy to have been able to score that second goal in that game,” Dier explained.

Adi Hütter then added this on Monaco’s second: “Eric scored his first goal, showing that he’s a real threat in the opposition’s box. I’d also like to congratulate Abel Lorincz, our new set-piece specialist, who was rewarded in his first match with a goal from a corner.”

The 31-year-old’s impact extended to how he helped stretch the first line of Le Havre’s press by generating advantageous 3v2s in build-up with his intelligent positioning. As a result, this regularly granted him space to dribble into as he subsequently drew out opponents to then release passes into ASM’s most dangerous attacking players. 

Meanwhile, on the defensive end, Dier’s impeccable spatial awareness, reading of the play and judgement were essential cornerstones behind his defensive masterclass.

To begin, his slick scanning of his surroundings allowed him to judge when to drop back, step up, shift laterally or cover teammates in need of support, with the latter coming into particularly sharp focus when he assisted Mawissa in dealing with a late opening for Mbwana Samatta.

Moreover, how he astutely read the flight of the ball to dominate aerial battles, responded to pressing triggers and chimed in with a host of expertly timed interventions elevated his worth.

Beyond his individual defending, how he marshalled the backline by constantly communicating and gesturing instructions was critical, for he wisely advised colleagues of marking assignments and alerted them to nearby threats, as his leadership and experience at the back was a significant element towards ASM’s triumph.

“It was a great day for me, even if for a first match you never know what to expect. I’m very happy with the victory and my goal. The most important thing, however, is the team, so I’m happy with this start to the season and to be able to play football again,” Dier reflected.

“It was easy to adapt to the team and my teammates, no longer being a young player. The people at the club, as well as the staff, are very kind and eager to work. It’s the same in the locker room, so the adaptation was easy for me.

“It’s the beginning of the season, there are still things to improve. That’s normal. As I said, the most important thing is victory, and we have to be able to win despite a performance that isn’t yet perfect. That’s what we did, and we’ll continue to improve. We have to savour every success, stay calm and work hard on what we need to do better.”

By the numbers, his nine passes into the final third, seven accurate long balls at 100% completion, six clearances, four ball recoveries, two blocks and two headed clearances further evidenced what a polished outing he enjoyed.

With a confidence-boosting and impressive bow in the books, he’ll be keen to continue his momentum into Les Monegasques’ next clash with Lille, where his presence will once again be vital in ASM’s quest to reign supreme. 

Although it’s still early days, all the signs point to Dier being an exceptional addition to Hutter’s ambitious and exciting Monaco.