There are plenty of physical problems within the AS Monaco squad. Their injury crisis this season has been unrelenting, and against RC Lens on Saturday, they will once again be without nine first-team players. 

If Monaco are to push back up the table and reach their objectives, they will need some of those players back fit, even if there is an acceptance that Takumi Minamino and Mohammed Salisu (both ACLs) won’t feature again this season, whilst Paul Pogba, victim of a calf injury back in December, does not have a return date. 

But beyond the physical aspect, there is also a mental aspect that Sébastien Pocognoli believes will be crucial during the run-in, as he said on Thursday. “We are trying to manage the workload as best as possible when it comes to mental recovery. I think that the second half of the season will be decided by the mental aspect,” said the Belgian in a press conference attended by Get French Football News. 

He added, “So we are trying to work on that, to stay optimistic and positive. For me, it is the key to getting back on track as quickly as possible and in the best possible way.”