Monaco vs CSKA Moscow - Towering Traore will be out to hurt us, says Monaco boss
Posted Wednesday, November 02, 2016 by PA
Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim knows Lacina Traore will need no extra motivation as he takes on his parent club when CSKA Moscow visit Stade Louis II for their Champions League Group E encounter.
In the reverse fixture a fortnight ago Traore's goal looked set to be enough to see off Monaco before Bernardo Silva netted a late equaliser.
Ivory Coast international Traore joined the Russian club at the start of the 2016/2017 season, and Jardim expects the 6ft 8ins striker to be ready to prove his point again.
"I know Lacina Traore very well. He is not the most aesthetic of players, but he is effective and he will be very motivated to play against us," Jardim said at a pre-match press conference.
Monaco midfielder Joao Moutinho remains out, having not played since picking up an injury during the last game against CSKA.
CSKA will be missing midfielder Roman Eremenko, who serves out his two-game suspension.
Despite losing just once so far in their European campaign, CSKA prop up Group E.
However, the Russians are only three points behind leaders Monaco and two from Tottenham, who host Bayer Leverkusen, as qualification for the knockout stage looks set to go to the wire.
CSKA, though, have lost eight of their last 10 away games in the Champions League group stage, winning just once with a 2-1 victory at Manchester City in the 2014/15 season.
Leonid Slutski's men head to the Monaco on the back of a poor run of form, with five defeats from their previous eight fixtures in all competitions.
CSKA were beaten 3-1 at Moscow rivals Spartak on Saturday to sit third in the Russian Premier League table.
"The only thing that concerns me is the spirit within the team. Recent results have hurt, but we need to keep calm," Slutski said.
"We can't speak about objectives in terms of qualifying for the Europa League or going through to the next stage of the Champions League.
"We are in a difficult group, but we could have beaten Tottenham (at home) and so we are focused on getting a result."
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