AS Monaco coach Niko Kovac, May 7, 2021 – Mandoga Media / Sipa USA / SIPA
Just before his trip to Annecy to play, Thursday evening, his semi-final of the Coupe de France against Rumilly-Vallières, AS Monaco was confined in a “performance bubble” in Eze, a village in the Alpes-Maritimes near of the Principality.
Until the end of the season, to protect themselves against the Covid-19, “the professional group will be accommodated in a place reserved for the occasion”, a hotel in this town bordering La Turbie, where the center is located. club training.
“Protect the whole group as much as possible”
In recent weeks, Monaco has seen six players from its squad (Gelson Martins, Golovin, Matazo, Diatta, Matsima and Millot) affected by the virus. During this ten-day period, “during which we could play four games”, including a possible Cup final, “it is therefore important to be all together and to protect the whole group as much as possible”, explained the coach Niko Kovac this Wednesday.
“It’s a collective decision,” said Brazilian defender Caio Henrique. The minimum risk of Covid contamination must be taken. I already had it. But others don’t. “
After its Cup semi-final on Thursday evening, Monaco will host Rennes on Sunday evening (37th day of Ligue 1), before playing, in case of qualification, the final of the Coupe de France on May 19 at the Stade de France. The club will then move to Lens, on the 23rd, for the last day of the championship. The Monegasques, third in L1, are fighting with PSG (2nd) and Lyon (4th) to go to the Champions League.