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Monaco
Ligue 1
Oct 5, 2013 at 4pm UK
 
Saint-Etienne

2-1

FT(HT: 1-0)
Hamouma (49')

Claudio Ranieri wary of "direct rival" Saint-Etienne

Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri describes Saint Etienne as a "direct rival" for the top positions in Ligue 1 ahead of their clash tomorrow afternoon.

Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri has insisted that his side will need to be on top form to beat Saint-Etienne this weekend, describing Les Verts as a "direct rival" for the Ligue 1 title.

Ranieri's side have made an instant impact on their return to the French top flight, amassing 18 points from their first eight league games in an unbeaten start to the campaign.

Ahead of tomorrow's clash with Saint-Etienne, the Italian has warned his star-studded squad that only a complete performance in all areas will be good enough to keep pace with Paris-Saint Germain.

He told reporters at a pre-match press conference: "This St Etienne side play good football and have very technical players. We will have to stay very organised and compact.

"St Etienne are a direct rival for us. I think they will be fighting for the leading positions right to the end of the season.

"We need to find the balance between defence and attack and that means total concentration for the full 90 minutes."

Monaco will be without experienced midfielder Jeremy Toulalan tomorrow afternoon, while in-form striker Emmanuel Riviere faces a late fitness test.

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Monaco's Italian coach Claudio Ranieri looks on before the kick of a French L1 football match between Bordeaux and Monaco on August 10, 2013
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG14104037112634
2Marseille1593332181430
3MonacoMonaco1593324121230
4Lille1576225151027
5Lyon147432617925
6Lens156631914524
7Nice146532617923
8Auxerre156362323021
9Toulouse156361717021
10Reims155552018220
11Brest145182026-616
12Rennes144281820-214
13NantesNantes143561620-414
14StrasbourgStrasbourg143562227-514
15Angers143471424-1013
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne1541101234-2213
17Le HavreLe Havre1440101126-1512
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier1422101336-238


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