The 2001-02 campaign was a deeply turbulent season for AS Monaco, as Les Monegasques, under the pressure of manager Didier Deschamps, finished a precarious 15th in Division 1, narrowly avoiding a relegation fight. Amidst the chaos, the one constant was the relentless scoring of striker Shabani Nonda, whose 14 league goals anchored the attack. Despite the struggle, the season saw the club introduce future stars like Rafael Márquez and Éric Abidal, alongside the arrival of veteran striker Oliver Bierhoff, marking a difficult but foundational chapter before their return to title contention.