Monaco vs Metz - Leonardo Jardim warns Monaco against complacency ahead of Metz clash

Posted Friday, February 10, 2017 by PA

Leonardo Jardim has warned his Monaco players against complacency and insists Metz will provide a much sterner test than they did the last time the clubs met.

The Ligue 1 leaders thrashed Saturday's opponents 7-0 at the Stade Saint-Symphorien in October, their biggest league win of a season which has seen them register 70 goals in 24 games.

Manager Jardim, however, believes Philippe Hinschberger's men will be a tougher proposition when they travel to Stade Louis II.

"Metz play very well away from home, and they have the eighth best away record in the league," he told asmonaco.com.

"They are performing much better and won't be the same team as in the first game. We'll need to be careful."

Monaco currently lead champions Paris St Germain - who play at Bordeaux on Friday night - by three points and have a far superior goal difference.

Jardim wants his side to remain focused on their own performances and admits he will need to juggle his squad in order to maintain their interest in four competitions.

In addition to their title challenge, they remain in contention for both domestic cup competitions and have a two-legged Champions League tie against Manchester City coming up.

"The most important thing is to take care of ourselves and our squad," he added.

"Obviously we are tired, but I think we have a good capacity to work, and we can play even with a little fatigue. We need to go for it in the league and all of the competitions.

"When you're playing in Europe, it's not easy, tiredness is a factor.

"The most important thing is to manage the squad and when there's a problem, it opens up an opportunity for someone else to play. You have to use the squad to perform in all four competitions.

"City have a good group of players. They aren't afraid of anyone. They're at the top level in Europe. I'm not interested in them for now. I'm focusing on the match against Metz."

Seventeen-goal striker Radamel Falcao, who turned 31 on Friday, should be restored to the starting line-up after playing the final nine minutes of the midweek success at Montpellier, but Andrea Raggi (illness), Nabil Dirar (rib injury) and Guido Carrillo (groin) look set to miss out.

Mid-table Metz sit in 11th position following three wins from four games including a 1-0 success over Marseille in Dimitri Payet's first Ligue 1 match since returning to the south of France.

They have won just three of their previous 20 games against Monaco with their only away victory during that time coming when the two clubs met in Ligue 2 in December 2011.

Forward Cheikh Diabate has scored three times in four games since arriving on loan from Turkish side Osmanlispor last month and he is prepared to help his new side spring a surprise result this weekend.

"When I arrived here, I thought that the most important thing was to bring something to Metz," he told ligue1.com.

"I am ready to help my team 200 per cent."