Ranieri seeks defensive improvement

Monaco manager Claudio Ranieri has called on his Ligue 1 leaders to tighten up ahead of the visit of Saint-Etienne on Saturday.

The newly promoted side top the division having remained unbeaten in their first eight matches of the season, but have drawn two of their last three fixtures 1-1 after falling behind.

Monaco were held 1-1 by Reims last Sunday after coming from behind to earn a point at champions Paris Saint-Germain a week earlier, and Ranieri is keen for his side to be more resilient to avoid having to fight back in future.

“I want the team to be more compact, always. Saturday comes another good team that plays good football, that plays well on the sides,” he said.

“So, there are a lot of players who dribble very well, very quickly. It is important to be focused and play compact.

“We have many young players. So it’s normal that we only think of the attack. But in football, there is the attack and defence.”

His thoughts were echoed by experienced defender Ricardo Carvalho, with the 35-year-old eager for the side to gain some stability at the back.

“Yes you want to get better always, especially away from home it’s important. Don’t concede goals,” the ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid man said.

“We are doing well, but in the last match the coach changed for another system, playing with (Joao) Moutinho and (Mounir) Obbadi, just two in the middle.

“But I think when you defend you have to defend as a team, it is our responsibility, everyone has to fight to defend and to be compact.

“It doesn’t matter if you play 4-4-2 or with two wingers and just two in the middle, everyone has to help a little bit to defend.”