Football: Monaco take big step towards Conference League progression

AS Monaco took a big step towards qualification for the next stage of the Conference League thanks to a comfortable win over Nordsjælland (2-0) at a sodden Stade Louis II on Thursday night. It is three wins from three for Les Monégasques in European competition.

Midway through the 'League Phase', Monaco are one of four teams with a 100% record, and these midweek encounters are providing a welcome solace from their domestic struggles. Monaco made five changes to the side that lost to Paris FC (3-1) over the weekend.

Rotation is an explanation, as is Filipe Luís' wish to make a statement. The Brazilian wasn't happy with his side's performance in the Capital, even if he assumed his share of responsibility.

On Wednesday, the manager spoke of "correcting behaviours". Most of those "behaviours" pertained to what Monaco were doing off the ball.

Luís wanted his side to "calm down a little bit", know when to stand off and when to press. A clean sheet against Nordsjælland was welcome in that regard.

But as the intermittent jeers suggested, this wasn't a game where Monaco were at their free-flowing best. "I liked the patience [from my team], but I don't like a horizontal game," said Luís post-match.

That's what the Monaco fans who braved the weather witnessed for much of the first half in particular. On Sunday, Luís was perhaps taken by surprise by Paris FC's decision to go with a back three; Nordsjælland certainly surprised him with how deep they sat.

Jens Olsen assumed his choice, which went against their usual instincts. Nordsjælland's game plan to frustrate Monaco "I think that we kept the game open until the end.

That was the plan for us," said Olsen. "As we opened up in the last 20 minutes, we saw how good Monaco really are."