Ligue 1’s latest Danish sensation could catch Benfica off guard in Lisbon

After suffering a narrow 1-0 loss to Benfica at the Stade Louis II a fortnight ago, French club AS Monaco faces a daunting challenge as they prepare to take on Bruno Lage’s resurgent side in front of an enthusiastic Portuguese crowd at a sold-out Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on Tuesday night. However, there is one player who could tip the balance in Monaco’s favour.

One of the most unexpected moves of the transfer window was AS Monaco’s decision to recruit 22-year-old Danish forward Mika Biereth, bringing him to the principality.

Biereth enjoyed a sensational first half of the season at Sturm Graz, netting 14 goals and providing 5 assists over the course of 25 matches, thereby cementing his status as a promising talent with captivating performances. As interest grew from various established clubs across Europe, AS Monaco emerged as the lead contender for his signature, ultimately securing the promising young forward for a fee of €15 million, recognising his potential as a pivotal asset for the club’s future.

This transfer marks a significant change of environment for the young Dane, who only a year ago was loaned from Arsenal to Motherwell, competing in the lower brackets of the Scottish Premiership. The year prior, he was further from the radar of top European clubs, also on loan at RKC Waalwijk, struggling in the depths of the Dutch Eredivisie. Biereth has consistently taken unconventional paths to navigate his career, even when it means making less conventional decisions.

Choosing an unconventional route

The young striker has garnered considerable attention since his teenage years while being part of Arsenal’s youth development system. However, realising he might not be given a first-team opportunity anytime soon in North London, he seized the opportunity to join Sturm Graz, signing a permanent deal for a club-record fee (£4 million) after a successful loan spell.

With his career visibly on an upswing at a club known for nurturing talent like Rasmus Hojlund, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Erling Braut Haaland, his decision to commit to AS Monaco came as a surprise, particularly given that Ligue 1 has not historically been the most welcoming ground for Danish players.

Ligue 1’s history of stifling Danish talent

“France’s league is increasingly characterised by defensive strategies, which can make it tough for forwards to shine. Scandinavian players bear the brunt of certain stereotypes and often find themselves struggling upon arrival, leading to early returns home because they are deployed in roles they aren’t suited to,” explains Sebastian Gente, although he remains positive that Biereth will thrive in Monaco.

Distinguished company alongside Zlatan

“Biereth seems to have carved out his niche within the club already. We often question the preference for foreign players over local talent, but in this instance, it appears to be the right decision,” states Gente. He believes Biereth has made an astute choice by signing with Adi Hütter’s squad. “Monaco presents a fantastic opportunity, ensuring you play at a high level every year with the chance for European qualification while alleviating the immense pressure seen in clubs like Paris, Marseille, or Lyon. Plus, you can navigate the city without fear of being disturbed.”

Early indications suggest that Biereth has made a smooth transition to life in the principality. Following hat-tricks against Auxerre and Nantes, he became the first player to net seven goals in his first five Ligue 1 appearances for AS Monaco. Additionally, he is only the second player in the 21st century to achieve this milestone, following in the footsteps of Zlatan Ibrahimović in 2012.

Adi Hütter, head coach of AS Monaco, is undoubtedly pleased with the addition of the Danish striker: “He has a keen sense of timing when it comes to shooting, understands positioning, and possesses a relentless drive to find the net. Mika also contributes significantly to the team’s efforts off the ball and fits seamlessly into our style of play, which mirrors what he was accustomed to in Graz,” Hütter remarked on the club’s website.

Dubbed as a true ‘fox in the box’ by L’Equipe, the French media views Biereth as the vital component missing from AS Monaco’s setup, a team rich in creativity yet seeking the final touch in attack. Only time will tell if Biereth can sustain his scoring momentum and establish himself as Monaco’s new ace in their quest to progress to the knockout stages in Lisbon.