Monaco beating Arsenal was not by luck, says coach Jardim

Do you think so too? Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim says their 3-1 win over Arsenal in February was purely down to the quality of his side rather than the Gunners underestimating the Ligue 1 club.

Goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco sealed a shock win at the Emirates in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.

The two sides go head-to-head once again on Wednesday, with Monaco strong favourites to advance to the quarter-finals, and Jardim was again keen to talk up his team's result three weeks ago.


The Portuguese coach said on Tuesday: "We will approach this game like we did for all the other Champions League games this season. We will not think about the result, just to play.

"At this stage of the competition, all teams behave the same way. I do not think Arsenal underestimated us. It was us who played a great game in London."

That said, the former Sporting boss added that the game remains a hazardous one for his players.

"When we face a team like Arsenal with a wide range of great players we do not take it lightly. We must try to put our game up, like in the first match."

Dimitar Berbatov, who used to play for Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham, was praised for his performance at the Emirates and his coach admitted his experience marks him out as Monaco's key weapon.

Jardim said: "Berbatov is an important player for because he already played the Champions League. He has the maturity and experience."

Paris Saint-Germain's defeat of Chelsea last week means there could be two French clubs in the quarter-final draw and Jardim believes it shows the growing quality of Ligue 1.

"It's true that compared to previous years, the two French clubs have a good level. PSG showed the quality that has emerged France and at Monaco, too. We try to show the quality of work developed in France."