AS Monaco suffered a 2-0 defeat to Sporting CP in a pre-season friendly match played on Saturday, according to reports from France. The match served as a preparation exercise for both clubs ahead of the upcoming season, with Sporting CP’s competitive campaign beginning earlier in August.
Rafael Nel opened the scoring for Sporting CP with a diving header early in the second half, and Jesse Derry added a second goal 25 minutes from full time to seal the victory. Monaco manager Filipe Luís made several substitutions during the match, giving playing time to a number of younger players from the club’s academy.
This friendly followed a previous 4-0 win for Monaco against Saint-Priest, a club playing in the French National 1 league. Luís will have another opportunity to assess his squad’s progress on July 31st, when Monaco face Cercle Brugge in another pre-season encounter. The result highlights areas for improvement as Monaco prepares for the new Ligue 1 season.
Recent reports suggest Newcastle United are preparing a significant bid for a young player currently at Monaco, though no names have been confirmed. Monaco are also reportedly seeking further additions during the transfer window, with manager Paulo Fonseca outlining specific targets to club officials. The team is still considered to be in a phase of preparation, and not yet fully ready for competitive matches, according to observers.
