Jardim expects Monaco to keep up pre-season momentum as Ligue 1 campaign begins

Carrying over form from friendlies essential to principality side's challenge to Paris Saint-Germain

Radamel Falcao, left, of Monaco shields the ball from Arsenal defender Calum Chambers during their Emirates Cup match at the Emirates Stadium on August 3, 2014, in London, England. Michael Regan / GetShow more

New Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim wants his side to translate their impressive pre-season form into a successful start to their Ligue 1 campaign on Sunday when Lorient visit the Stade Louis II.

Monaco won five and drew one in their six friendlies during the summer, including beating Arsenal and Parma, to leave Jardim in optimistic mood heading into his first campaign in France.

The former Sporting Lisbon and Olympiakos coach, who replaced Claudio Ranieri in June, said: “The team is confident after the six friendlies. We will do everything to play a good quality of football.

“We’ve worked hard for six weeks to be ready. We want to start with a good game on Sunday.”

Jardim has the momentum, which saw Monaco win the Ligue 2 title in 2013 before finishing second to Paris Saint-Germain in the top flight last term, on his side.

They must do without forward James Rodriguez, who joined Real Madrid for £63 million (Dh388m) this summer after his impressive World Cup exploits with Colombia, but have so far managed to keep hold of his sought-after countryman Radamel Falcao.

Falcao, who scored the only goal in last season’s corresponding fixture against Lorient, has only recently returned to competitive action following a serious knee injury and is not fully fit, but Jardim said the prolific striker could still be involved this weekend.

“Falcao is not 100 per cent yet but is ready to be included in the group,” he said.

Lorient, who finished eighth last season, have only beaten Monaco once in their past 10 meetings, but midfielder Mathieu Coutadeur hopes that facing the big-spending Monegasque on the opening day of the campaign could benefit his side.

“Some people think it’s better to take them on right away because they will not be completely settled. I agree with that,” Coutadeur said.

“We’re not in perfect form. We’re maybe not 100 per cent ready physically or at a tactical level, but mentally, we are ready. We will need to be at 150 per cent to play this Monaco team.”

Follow us on Twitter at @SprtNationalUAE