Monaco finding punishing rhythm in France

Prince Albert II's eight-week old twins might just be AS Monaco FC's lucky charm, with the UEFA Champions League contenders surging up the standings in France.

Following a 1-0 win against LOSC Lille, Monaco are fifth in the table and looking ever-more competitive as they gear up to meet their former boss Arsène Wenger and his Arsenal FC side in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 in February. Monaco are now unbeaten in 12 games (W10 D2, with only one goal conceded) and afloat in four competitions, with twins Gabriella and Jacques – born on 10 December – yet to live through a defeat for the Principality side.

Monaco finished as runners-up last season, but knew they were in for a much tougher ride this time around with Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, Emmanuel Rivière and Éric Abidal all departing in the summer. His side were as low as 19th in the standings early in the season, but coach Leonardo Jardim is eager to play down his reputation as a miracle-worker. "I have done nothing special," he maintained. "We have found a balance and this run just bolstered our confidence. Now the aim is to keep taking points."

Saturday's game against LOSC was a significant challenge for the Portuguese coach, most recently in charge at Olympiacos FC, but they accomplished their mission, Dimitar Berbatov heading in Yannick Ferreira Carrasco's free-kick around the hour mark. The win was slightly more impressive given that their UEFA Champions League hero Aymen Adbennour is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Tunisia while Ricardo Carvalho and Jérémy Toulalan are out injured.

"We're back on track," said Italian defender Andrea Raggi, who made his 100th appearance for Les Rouge et Blanc in the LOSC game. "But we shouldn't lose sight of our main target, which is the top three in the league."