Adi Hütter: “We have the means to trouble Paris Saint-Germain”
The time for preparation seems to be (very) short. While the Monegasque internationals are trickling back into the Principality, the staff of Adi Hütter has been working on the fine details before Friday evening’s big match against Paris Saint-Germain (kick-off 9 p.m.). Ahead of this big match of the 13th round of Ligue 1 the Monegasque coach spoke to the media in a pre-match press conference. 🎙
Coming back from the international break
There were only around ten of us this morning in training. All the other internationals have stayed or will go to Paris and will join us tomorrow for lunch. It’s true that playing on Friday after this break is a bit special, but it’s the same situation for Paris Saint-Germain. I hope that some players like Guillermo Maripán, who played yesterday, and Folarin Balogun who played on Monday in the United States will not be too tired after their long journey.
Summer plans : BOOKED ☑️ pic.twitter.com/jj6GrfN7MD
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 21, 2023
Memo has been used to traveling back and forth for international duty to the other side of the world for several years. I trust him, he is in very good physical shape and he knows what to do to stay that way and recover well. I think he will be fit for this match on Friday. We have sent some of the staff to Paris in anticipation, to see in what condition they arrive and to provide them with care starting today.
About the possible returns of Salisu and Vanderson
Mohammed Salisu will be with us tomorrow, he will be part of the squad of 21 players that we are taking for this trip. I can’t say if he will be in the team, but in any case he is on the right track to return to competition. Maybe it still takes time for him to resume playing, we’ll see. For his part, Vanderson has trained for the match. He worked well all week, and he is in very good shape. We’ll see if he starts the match or not.
Playing against Paris
We are not going to change our style of play, even if it is Paris, the leader and favorite for the title of champion of France. They are very dangerous because they have already scored 29 goals, compared to 25 for us, which is not so bad. And they are on a run of five consecutive victories, so it will certainly be an open match for both sides.
It’s a team that plays possession but also moves very quickly on the counter. We do not want to betray our principles in this match, we are not afraid even if it is the best team in Ligue 1. And I know that we can win this match.
A gala match
I’m very happy to play this match in a fantastic stadium with a great atmosphere. Especially since there will be more than 1000 AS Monaco supporters to support us, as always! I have the same feeling as before a Champions League-level match. I have already played them in the past, notably against Bayern Munich. Paris is once again the favorite in Ligue 1. But we want to be one of the best teams in France, so yes I can’t wait to be there.
𝗤𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲̀𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗱'𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲́𝗲 🔥😍
Vous serez (encore) plus de 𝟭𝟬𝟬𝟬 ce vendredi pour soutenir nos Rouge & Blanc au Parc de Princes !
𝘋𝘢𝘨𝘩𝘦 🔴⚪️#PartoutToujours #PSGASM pic.twitter.com/ymp1K1TTDO
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) November 22, 2023
The duel between Singo and Mbappé
It will be a big challenge for Wilfried to face Kylian Mbappé, but that’s also why he came to AS Monaco, to play with the best players. He has shown great talents training here on a daily basis. In one-on-one situations he is very difficult to get past, he is tough on his man. I don’t yet know how PSG will play, if Dembélé and Kolo Munani who are also dangerous will be there. Obviously it’s a big challenge for him, but we won’t change the way we play.
On Luis Enrique
This is the first time I’ve faced him. He is a great coach, who has had great success with FC Barcelona, notably in the Champions League, but also with the Spanish national team. He has a great style of play with strong possession but also quick transitions. I can’t wait to meet him, but on Friday we will be opponents.
On the absence of Youssouf Fofana
We have player with experience like Denis Zakaria and Mohamed Camara, but also youngsters like Eliot Matazo and Edan Diop to compensate for Youssouf’s suspension. He is from Paris, so it is very difficult for him to miss this match. It’s a shame, especially since he had a very good international break with France, scoring twice.
⚽ @YFofana19_ se rappellera longtemps de ce match !
✘ Plus large victoire de l'histoire des Bleus
✘ 1er but en Equipe de France #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/kyljxFPZoU— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) November 20, 2023
Against Gibraltar he played well and I was happy for his goal, but the level of the opponent was necessarily less compared to Greece. I saw the highlights of yesterday’s match and he had a really good performance with a magnificent goal! I’m delighted for him, he’s taking a step forward, and I think he’ll come back here with a lot of confidence.
Matches against the Top 4
There is no particular pressure against the teams at the top of the table. We haven’t performed badly against them I think. Against Nice, we missed two penalties, and the course of the match could have changed after 12 minutes. In Lille, the score does not necessarily reflect the content of the match, where we didn’t play well for 20 minutes. In Paris, we will have to be focused, but I think we have the means to trouble the best team in the league.
The role of Denis Zakaria
We recruited him to AS Monaco as a “key player”, and to be part of the starting lineup. He is a versatile player who can play in two positions, either in defense or in midfield. He is very intelligent, always well positioned and he now has a lot of experience. I have known him since he was very young, and now he is his own player and a mature man. We are very happy with his performances so far.
About Ligue 1
Everyone has their opinion. For my part, I find that Ligue 1 is a great league which is one of the five best in Europe. There is a lot of speed, there is forward-moving football, with young talents in all the teams. For me it is a very good leaue, but I do not want to compare with others, because it is different from the Bundesliga for example. I am sometimes surprised by the defensive rigor in any case.
