With an official debut marked by a rout, Filipe Luís begins his European journey at the helm of Monaco, overseeing important returns and fine-tuning the squad for the 2026/27 season.
Filipe Luís‘s coaching career reached a new milestone this Saturday (18). The former Flamengo manager made his official debut in charge of Monaco, orchestrating a dominant 5-2 victory over Saint-Priest. The friendly match, part of the preseason, served as the Brazilian coach’s introduction to the competitive European football scene.
The immediate impact on the scoreboard reflects the intensity Filipe Luís aims to implement. Although the opponent competes in the French fourth division, Monaco controlled the game for most of the match, which is a crucial preparation for the official start of the season, scheduled for August.
Squad Adjustments and Returns
The goals for the victory were scored by Eric Dier, Golovin, Paris Brunner (twice), and an own goal for the Monegasque side. However, the coach remains grounded. After the final whistle, Filipe Luís emphasized that this period is ideal for testing and tactical corrections before the official challenges of Ligue 1.
“Good test. I think friendlies always show us the way forward. They serve as a guide to identify specific points and the most important aspects. The priority is to correct what needs to be corrected, train more, without neglecting the positive points observed today”, stated the coach.
The match also marked the return of Pogba to the field. The midfielder, one of the most anticipated reinforcements by the fans, participated in the second half. According to the Brazilian manager, the player is following a rigorous physical schedule to regain full fitness, aiming to reclaim the technical level that made him world-renowned.
Next Steps in Preseason
Filipe Luís‘s work now gains momentum with higher-level technical challenges. Monaco already has a busy schedule for the coming days, including an important test against Sporting on July 25 in Lisbon, competing for the Cinquentenario Trophy. Following that, the team will face giants like Getafe and Liverpool.
Monaco‘s official debut in Ligue 1 will be on August 23 against Le Havre. While the squad seeks peak form, players such as Teze, Ansu Fati, Minamino, Idumbo, Salisu, and Vanderson remain in the medical department, under special care to be available for the coach at the start of the national competition.
