Adi Hütter: "I'm expecting a big battle against Strasbourg"
Build on those intial impressions. Winners of a crazy match against Clermont in Auvergne (2-4), the plaeyrs of Adi Hütter want to continue their momentum on this second matchday. Before hosting Strasbourg Sunday at the Stade Louis-II – exceptionally at 7 p.m. due to the hot weather – the Monegasque coach mentioned the return of AS Monaco to Fontvieille. 🎙
About Wilfried Singo
I am happy that our two new recruits are joining us. Wilfried is a very good defender whom we have been tracking for a long time. He has done great things with Torino in recent years, where he has played a lot. He did preseason with them, so he is currently in good physical form. He is a versatile player, who will bring that to the team. Like Denis, he has great qualities.
What Denis Zakaria can contribute
I like the fact that there is competition in the squad. Denis, whom I know well, is a complete player who can play in two positions. At Borussia Mönchengladbach he played in defence where he did well because he is very fast. But his preferred position is obviously in midfield, as a number six. There is good competition in this area, especially with youngsters like Eliot Matazo and Edan Diop who can also play at the back. I am satisfied.
On the match’s time being moved
I think that’s a good idea. I want to thank the LFP for changing the kick-off time, as had been done for Lyon-Montpellier. The heat is very strong at the moment, we saw it in Clermont last Sunday where many players had cramps. I hope that the spectators at the Stade Louis-II will indeed be able to witness a spectacular match. I think it’s really a good decision.
About Strasbourg
They had a good first match against Olympique Lyonnais, with a late victory (2-1). It is a side that plays with five at the back, with three midfielders and two forwards. Patrick Vieira was a fantastic player and he is also a very good coach. So I expect a big battle against this Strasbourg team. But what is certain is that we want to win this match.
🔥🔥#RCSAOL (2-1) pic.twitter.com/9NOGVYZURs
— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace (@RCSA) August 13, 2023
Do you expect a spectacle like in Auvergne?
These are two teams that like to play football. You saw against Clermont that we played very offensively, and I like when my team shows that enterprising side to their play. It was difficult with the heat at times, but the two teams didn’t close out the game and that’s why there were a lot of goals. The cooling break did us good in terms of getting back into the game.
New rules for added time
My opinion? It’s a good question, since in Clermont there were more than 20 added minutes. It changes a lot of things, because we have to think about replacing a lot of players. We must also adapt our physical preparation to this and our coaching.
We must be prepared to play more than 100 minutes per game, because it will become the norm. But I think we can find a compromise with the referees by giving only 5, 6 or 7 more minutes. Because beyond 9, it starts to affect things a lot. In any case, playing 110 minutes in 35 degrees was very difficult.
A return for Eliesse Ben Seghir
It is very good for us that he is back in training with the team. Eliesse is a very talented, technical, fast player who can play as number 10 or as a second striker. Now he’s had a bit of a knock and he’s only been back with us for two days, so we have to be careful with him.
Defensive progress
We have a lot to work on in this area, and it is obvious that we are far from perfect. We move very high up the pitch to recover the ball, which means that we sometimes leave space in behind. You have to find the right balance. Against Clermont the first goal came from a mistake, it happens, but on the second I was not happy because the positioning was not good and we have to do better.
Afterwards we were able to take advantage of the cooling break by coming back physically well to score two goals and turn the match to our advantage. We must continue to work to improve defensively, even if we can be better everywhere in my opinion. Especially in our pressing, also having more strength in duels. And it’s not just about the defense in isolation.
Le doublé de @WissBenYedder ⚽⚽
2️⃣-4️⃣ #CF63ASM pic.twitter.com/oB6AmMQ6vk
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) August 14, 2023
A debut at the Stade Louis-II
I must say that I was impressed by the support of our supporters in Clermont! The emotion, the explosion of joy on the third goal was incredible, and we all felt it. I am now very impatient to face Strasbourg at home, in our stadium. We’ll see what happens, but I’m focused on the pitch first and foremost. It’s important for the team to turn in a good performance at the Stade Louis-II.
𝗔𝗦 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐨-𝗥𝗖 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗴 𝐝𝐞́𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞́ 𝐚̀ 𝟏𝟗𝐡 ⌚️
☀️ En raison des fortes chaleurs, la réception du @RCSA, initialement programmée à 17h05, se déroulera finalement le dimanche 20 août à 19h.#ASMRCSA pic.twitter.com/TfGQbLa1gR
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) August 18, 2023
