The Ambiguous Season of Alexander Golovin: Analyzing the Fiasco of AS Monaco in the 2022/23 Draw

We sum up the results of the performances of the Russian legionnaire in France in the 2022/23 draw and understand the reasons for the fiasco of the Monegasques.

Goal record

The fifth season of Alexander Golovin in France turned out to be ambiguous. From the point of view of the result, Monaco, which, after two attempts to break into the Champions League, was left without European cups, was an absolute failure. If you look at personal indicators, then this is the most successful sports year for the 27-year-old midfielder since leaving for Europe. It seems to be a paradox, but the reasons seem to be on the surface.

One of the main ones is the absence of serious health problems. It’s no secret that in France Golovin was called almost crystal, but here – not a single serious injury. The longest pause of the season was two weeks, and in the number of matches in League 1 (34) out of field players, the Russian was surpassed only by defender Caia Enrique (35). And to complete the picture, it is worth adding ten more European Cup meetings and a substitution in the only red-and-white game of the French Cup.

So even according to the theory of probability, with such playing practice, Golovin should have improved his performance. Only this is too simple an explanation, and pure mathematics does not work here. At least because eight goals scored is the best result in a footballer’s career. And this is already an indicator of the class and the result of training work.

Photo Global Look Press

No matter how criticized Philippe Clement, who was fired on Sunday, the Belgian and his staff made a serious contribution to the development of Golovin. The absence of injuries is the fruit of the work of fitness specialists, and at the beginning of the year the head coach of the Monegasques said that physically Golovin is now a completely different player. And how happy Clement was when Alexander first hit the target with a spectacular blow from a long distance! This aspect was also given special attention in training.

The arguments that the Russian legionnaire mainly scored against outsiders and middle peasants are at least debatable. The result is always important, and in matches when our legionnaire sent the ball into the net, Monaco invariably won and scored 24 points. Four times Golovin’s balls turned out to be victorious, and he often opened the scoring. Including in the victorious match with PSG (3:1), against which the Russian also scored an assist at the Parc des Princes (1:1). But, of course, in key games with direct competitors, more was expected from Alexander.

“The head is often not visible in big matches.” What they write in France about the Russian midfielder

Problems for 117 million

So what is the reason why the status of one of the leaders and the increased influence on the game of the Monegasques is so discordant with the sixth place of Monaco in the final standings? There are several reasons for this, and the first is obvious. If Golovin has become stronger, then you can’t say the same about the team. Moreover, the summer sale of Tshuameni to Real Madrid and the January transfer of Badiashile to Chelsea brought not only 117 million euros, but also huge problems.

As a result, in the center of the field, Fofana, who added a lot, was left without a partner who understood him perfectly, and Kamara, bought at Salzburg, although he turned out to be a quality performer, has not yet reached the required level. As for Badiashile, it was only after his departure that everyone appreciated how important he was in air duels in his own penalty area. And since the defender left in the winter, there is no need to talk about the presence of a full-fledged replacement. Not to consider as such Matsim, who was urgently recalled from the loan at Lorient and almost did not play?

All this – albeit with reservations – was somewhat reminiscent of the period when Golovin had just moved to France. However, he went to a successful club, and ended up at the final stage of the sale of the remaining stars. In that situation, even Leonardo Jardim, who won the champion title, broke down, and it came to a battle for survival. Now this is not even close, but it is obvious that of all the newcomers, only the second sniper of Monaco, Embolo (12 goals), has shown himself, while the arrival of Minamino from Liverpool is a complete failure. As well as the loan at Chelsea defender Sarr. And it is already clear that it will not be possible to radically change the situation, because it is much more difficult to lure strong players into a team that skips the European Cup season.

Photo Global Look Press

Loses coach

The culprit, as is often the case, was Clément, who was announced to be resigned on Sunday. The coach himself foresaw this, after losing to the unmotivated Toulouse, saying: “I told the players that we missed the ticket to European competitions not today, but in a number of other matches that we approached without the proper mood and desire. This is a result for which I bear full responsibility, despite the fact that we all lost together.”

Only a number of matches – that’s putting it mildly. Monaco finished the championship with three defeats, and lost five times in the last seven rounds. The only victory came in the game with Angers, who were eliminated from the last place. Therefore, the club, thanking Clement for his work and wishing him success in the future, called the replacement of the coach necessary.

Philippe Clement.

Photo AFP

At the same time, Monaco’s statement focused on the negative dynamics at the end of the season. In the course of this segment, there is definitely no one to praise, and Clement, as seen from the outside, lost control of the situation. He endlessly juggled schemes, making a lot of illogical decisions. For example, everyone knows that Ben Yedder loses in effectiveness without a partner in attack. However, the best sniper of the red-whites was stubbornly chosen for the role of the spearhead, while Embolo and Volland, who played with the veteran, remained in the reserve (even if the German suffered minor injuries this season).

The attempt to switch to a scheme with three central defenders also turned out to be a failure. Firstly, it destroyed the effective connection between Golovin and Caia Enrique, since Jacobs, in the role of a lateral, gave volume, but nullified creativity. Secondly, Kaiyu felt uncomfortable in the center of defense and, not having the necessary skills, made effective mistakes. And the fact that the profile defender Wanderson periodically became the right winger speaks not so much about the attacking talents of the Brazilian, but about the problems of the weakly progressing Diatt and the failure of Minamino.

“What a stupid thing to replace Golovin.” What they write in France about the Russian midfielder

Regardless of the personality of the new head coach, it can be said that AS Monaco is in for a very difficult season. Transfer opportunities are limited, and it is necessary not only to give results, but also to develop young talents in the person of Ben Segira, Aklios, Diop and Matazo. And of course, rely on internal reserves. Including Golovin, who, after signing a new contract, must be the leader throughout the season. Yes, and in a more competitive championship after the reduction in the number of teams. Well, Golovin is no stranger to changing coaches.