{"id":310803,"date":"2025-08-23T09:30:25","date_gmt":"2025-08-23T07:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/?p=310803"},"modified":"2025-08-23T09:30:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T07:30:27","slug":"preview-zakaria-fati-and-akliouche-in-focus-ahead-of-as-monacos-trip-to-lille","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/en\/2025\/08\/preview-zakaria-fati-and-akliouche-in-focus-ahead-of-as-monacos-trip-to-lille\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: Zakaria, Fati and Akliouche in focus ahead of AS Monaco’s trip to Lille"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AS Monaco coach Adi H\u00fctter, accompanied by general manager Thiago Scuro, as well as English defender Eric Dier, spoke ahead of the side’s second Ligue 1 fixture against Lille this Sunday.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improvement needed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the Red and Whites secured victory in their opening outing against Le Havre (3-1), not everything was perfect, and the Monaco machine had some areas of improvement to find before being as oiled as hoped. In this context, \u201cdo better\u201d was the message from manager Adi H\u00fctter ahead of the tough clash vs LOSC. \u201cIn terms of performance, our team is capable of doing much, much better than against Le Havre. We need to – because it will be a more open match.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u00a9 AS Monaco<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

While Lille have notably lost Lucas Chevalier, Bafod\u00e9 Diakit\u00e9, Jonathan David, Gabriel Gudmunsson and R\u00e9my Cabella, Monaco won’t be underestimating Les Dogues, who still possess an extremely talented squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can’t compare the Le Havre match to the Lille match because Le Havre play a completely different kind of football. LOSC is one of the best teams at home, second I think after PSG. We lost twice there, and we deserved it,\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow we want to do much better. We’re facing a top team. They have a somewhat new team, but they’re strong at home. We’re looking forward to facing them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giroud vs Dier battle rekindled<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Among the notable arrivals for Lille is 2018 World Cup winner and Les Bleus’ all-time top scorer, Olivier Giroud. Having scored last Saturday vs HAC<\/a>, ASM’s new defender, Eric Dier, mentioned he was relishing the prospect to once again face a foe he’s familiar with from their past duels for club and country.<\/p>\n\n\n

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New AS Monaco player Eric Dier is looking forward to facing Olivier Giroud this Sunday\u00a0
\u00a9<\/strong>\u00a0Benjamin GODART \u2013 Monaco Tribune<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cI’ve had the opportunity to play against him many times, especially during his time at Arsenal and Chelsea, but also with the national team. I think he was one of the most underrated strikers in England at that time,\u201d Dier stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEveryone knows his qualities; he’s very good with the ball and very strong in duels. I expect to see the same player again, because he really takes care of himself, so he certainly hasn’t lost any of his power. I can’t wait to face him again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Analysis: Dream AS Monaco debut for English star Eric Dier<\/a><\/blockquote>