Monaco coach Niko Kovac has hailed their league one Saturday opponent Metz, claims they are one of the best teams on the counter-attack.
Monaco takes on Metz in a Ligue 1 early kick-off this Saturday. However, should Monaco take the three points they will provisionally leap Lyon to third place in the table.
Kovac’s boys have maintained a consistency that saw them becomes Champions League spot contenders. Niko has played his cards as usual in what looks like a mind game ahead of the clash.
“The most important thing is to win the match. If we win, then we’ll either keep the same gap over the fifth-placed club or build on it.
Metz are a solid team and their coach is doing a very good job. Metz are one of the best teams on the counter-attack. The next match is the most important match for us, especially after an international window,” Kovac said.
He talked about Stevan Jovetic, Wissam Ben Yedder, and others who were both busy in action for their national sides.
“Jovetic and Ben Yedder did a lot of traveling. They didn’t play the same number of minutes but it’s a factor I will take into account. Golo, Krépin, Fodé and Benoît also played. We’ll see whether they are tired or not. We mustn’t take any undue risks,” Kovac discussed.
Monaco are facing Metz, who are a good team, having won four of their six games. Kovac acknowledged their strength and their potential coach Frédéric Antonetti. Antonetti claims Ligue 1 ‘is a beautiful league’.
He said, “Monaco are one of the four good teams in our league. I’ve never understood why our league is so criticized, sometimes by people who don’t watch the games. I watch a lot! The top four teams all have their qualities and I say to myself it’s a beautiful league!”