Axel Disasi: "Come back strong after the break"
He scored his second goal this season, the second from a header from a corner. Already decisive against his former teammates, Stade de Reims to open the season in Ligue 1, Axel Disasi chose well to fill the opposing nets again. The opening goalscorer in the 99th Côte d’Azur derby, having helped Niko Kovac’s side to a win against OGC Nice, the Red & Whites’ center-back was bound to be all smiles at his post-match press conference.
Axel, do you think the new 4-4-2 system is better for the team?
In the last two matches we can see that we are more solid defensively. We are conceding a lot less chances and I find that this 4-4-2 system is more suitable for the team indeed. We are also managing to be dangerous offensively, so we are very happy to have won this derby.
What was the goal before the meeting?
Like all games, we watched this Nice team before the match. We had identified that we had to take advantage of the spaces behind OGC Nice midfield. Then personally I’m very happy to score from a set piece, it’s something that we are working on and we know that we are strong in this side of things.
Doesn’t the international break come at the worst time for you?
The international break is breaking our momentum a bit, it’s true, but at the same time it will give us a good rest to come back in two weeks and face Paris Saint-Germain on the next matchday.
You’ve discovered a new role as a scorer…
I’ve already beaten my total from last season with that second goal. I need to keep this momentum going and be more aggressive on set pieces to keep scoring and helping my team.
Are you all the more convinced this evening of your choice to join AS Monaco?
In going to Monaco I wanted to take a step forward, that’s why I signed here. I am happy because we are well placed in the standings. The risk was that we would face pressure before the game. We are now close to the European places. Now we have to continue like this, because we are only on the tenth matchday.
What will it take to keep up this pace, knowing that PSG are waiting for you after the break?
I think we are more compact, we are conceding a lot less chances once again. We will have to continue working like this and work to come back strong after the break. We are on a good run, but it’s up to us to stay the course.
Do you regret having dropped some points since the start of the season, which would have allowed you to be closer to PSG?
We have no regrets about the points dropped at the start of the season. Matches like the one in Brest will serve as a lesson for the future. It’s up to us to continue to work to repeat the performances like this evening.
Is it a point of pride to have finished with the captain’s armband and to have more responsibility this year in such a young defense?
I’m almost the oldest in this defense (laughs), so the coach actually gives me responsibilities at the back and I like that. I’m trying to pay it back. The coach told us a few weeks ago that I was vice-captain and I thank him. Again, I work every day in training to give him that confidence in return.
🔚 La fin du feuilleton @LaurentPaganel1 – @fofana22_ – Disasi 😂#OGCNASM @CanalFootClub pic.twitter.com/Ju7tFgmgX0
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) November 8, 2020
