MX23RW : Sunday, January 19 09:31:32| >> :600:115253:115253:

James Rodriguez expects Monaco success

Monaco forward James Rodriguez insists that his side are capable of mounting an instant challenge for top honours.

Monaco forward James Rodriguez has insisted that he can cope without Champions League football this season, while predicting a strong start from his new side in Ligue 1.

Rodriguez joined Claudio Ranieri's team for a fee of £38m earlier this summer along with former Porto teammates Joao Moutinho and Radamel Falcao.

He told Goal.com: "I won't miss it at all. I can play in the Champions League another year. Because I know Monaco, with the players we've got, will be victorious and play in the Champions League next year.

"Signing Falcao and Moutinho will help a lot. I've been playing with great players who have been top figures, and who are now here. I think that's important. With good players it's easy to play and adapt. This new project they have interests me a lot and I came here to win titles, too.

"Of course [we can challenge for the title], why not? PSG are a strong team, and other teams in this league are good. But we'll compete with them until the last game. We know we have good players and a good team to win the league."

The 22-year-old is expected to make his competitive debut for Monaco in their opening league fixture against Bordeaux this weekend.

ID:96976: cacheID:96976:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2278:
Written by
Liam Power
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Monaco boss Claudio Ranieri gestures to his players on the touchline on May 4, 2013
Read Next:
Monaco sign Borja Lopez
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Washington
45-31
Lions
8pm
Rams
@
Eagles
11.30pm
Ravens
@
Bills
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG18144048163246
2Marseille17113339201936
3Lille1888228171132
4MonacoMonaco189452920931
5Nice1886436251130
6Lyon188552922729
7Lens187652218427
8Toulouse187471919025
9Brest188192831-325
10StrasbourgStrasbourg176563029123
11Auxerre176472426-222
12Reims175572325-220
13Angers175481927-819
14Rennes1852112427-317
15NantesNantes173772027-716
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne1751111637-2116
17Le HavreLe Havre1740131336-2312
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier1833121843-2512


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!