Christian Mawissa: "AS Monaco is the right place to progress"
He had a very fast start to the week. After arriving in the Principality on Saturday and then signing his contract Sunday to become an AS Monaco player, Christian Mawissa flew out with the group the next day to play a friendly against Barça. Coming into play in the 81st minute, it took him just six minutes to score his first goal. Two days before the reception of ASSE, on Saturday (9 p.m.), the versatile 19-year-old defender was present at a press conference alongside Thiago Scuro, the CEO and Lamine Camara. 🎙️
His quick adaptation
I signed my contract on Sunday and then I trained alone straight away. The coach told me that I would travel with the team for the match in Barcelona. He then brought me on as a right back in the last few minutes, telling me to give my best. That’s what I did, I played my game and I even managed to score.
On his goal in Barcelona
I simply saw the ball coming towards me, I made the decision to shoot and I scored. I had confidence in myself, I knew I could score. I am a defender who likes to get forward and attack.
Le premier but de Christian Mawissa avec l'AS Monaco 📹👏
87' | 0⃣-3️⃣ #FCBASM pic.twitter.com/8XD29UGF7D
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) August 13, 2024
His polyvalence
I am comfortable with that because I am able to play on the right, on the left, as a wingback or as a central defender. It does not bother me, quite the contrary. When I was little, I was a striker then I trained as a central defender. In Toulouse, we finished the season with 3 at the back. So I know this system and am comfortable centrally on the left or the right.
The reasons for his choice
Coming from Toulouse, arriving at AS Monaco is the right place to progress. Playing in the Champions League this season is something that really pleased and convinced me. Playing every 3 days is the best for a footballer because what we like is to play matches. I experienced the Europa League last season but the Champions League remains a notch above. There will be no easy matches and we can’t wait for it to start.
His best foot
I can play with both feet but I am more comfortable with my left. For example, when I take a penalty with my right, I miss it all the time so I now shoot with my left foot.
His ambitions
First of all, we want to play for the top three places. At the start of the season, all the teams have the same number of points and want to play to win and finish as high as possible. I feel like we have a good group. There is a lot of laughter, it is very good, and I think we can do something this season. In this squad, I already knew Eliesse Ben Seghir thanks to the Tournoi Maurice-Revello, Saïmon Bouabré, Ritchie Valme and Lucas Michal.
😎 𝗖𝗢𝗢𝗟
🇫🇷 France x Costa Rica 🇨🇷#FRACRC #TMR2023 pic.twitter.com/icVFObYATW
— Tournoi Maurice Revello (@TournoiMRevello) June 8, 2023
An inspiring player?
When I faced AS Monaco last season with Toulouse in the first and second legs, I saw a lot of technical quality and I felt the players were comfortable with the ball. Physically and tactically, I found them to be above par as well. It’s a notch above my previous club.
