Adi Hütter: “An interesting matchup with two teams in good form”
One more step ! After a crucial win away to Stade Brestois (0-2), AS Monaco wants to keep things going. Well launched in this final sprint which will decide the future qualifiers for Europe, Adi Hütter’s men want to confirm this Wednesday (kick-off 9 p.m.), when they welcome another direct competitor, LOSC. In any case, this is what the Rouge et Blanc coach spoke of for at a press conference. Excerpts 🎙️
On this decisive week
The match against Brest is now over and we are really satisfied to have brought home the three points and to have delivered a good performance. Now it’s time for another big match against Lille, who are one of the best teams in the league this season. It will certainly be a great match, between two teams who are currently in very good form.
About a crowded fixture list
I like these “calendar problems” because I have experienced this before in my career as a manager in Bern and at Gladbach. It’s another part of management, another style management to play every three days. But I like it, and I hope we have the opportunity to experience that next season, and have such a busy schedule.
Le planning de nos Monégasques avant d'affronter le @losclive puis de se déplacer à l'@OL 🔜🗓️ pic.twitter.com/yEzGCDzqxJ
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 22, 2024
The approach against Lille
My first idea is always to go on the pitch to win the match. We cannot know what will happen in this match, but my philosophy remains to play attack, to create chances, to try to score goals, while being solid defensively. Tomorrow we will see what will be possible, because both teams are in great form, but also under pressure.
A final… or not?
No, it’s not a final for me, because after this there will still be four matches to play. But it’s true that in the event of victory, we can take a good step towards the podium. I was impressed by this LOSC team which showed very good things against Aston Villa in Europe.
They have a great coach, very experienced, in Paulo Fonseca, whom I have already had the opportunity to meet in the past. I think they can say the same for us, so it will be a very interesting match.
About pressure
Is the pressure on Lille? I don’t know, maybe yes. But we also have our goal in mind, which is to finish as high as possible. I repeat, we are on a good run, but it is certain that details can decide the outcome of this match. Today we have three points more than them in the standings.
I don’t know what will motivate them, if one point is enough for them or if they will try to win this match. What I do know, however, is that there are still five games left, and that we are fully focused on ourselves.
The Champions League in reach
The most important thing is to stay focused and focused on the objective of all of us at the Club: to return to Europe and the Champions League! I have the feeling that we are defending better at the moment, because we remain in four clean sheets over the last six rounds. But I also want to develop a way of playing ambitious, inspiring football, as I have already explained. In any case, nothing will be finished after Lille, whatever the result.
Objective: Podium
It’s really our number one goal, to return to the Champions League. We are not far from this goal, but when you set high goals, by definition it is difficult to achieve them. Once again, we must continue what we are doing well at the moment.
If we win tomorrow, the season won’t be over, just like if we draw or lose. In any case, we will give everything to finish as high as possible. But it’s true that if we win, we will take a further step.
On a potential return to two strikers
This is a possibility, as there are others, we have several options in hand. There are options up front, even in the absence of Golovin and Ben Seghir, with Takumi, Maghnes, Breel, Wissam, Folarin and even Krépin who can play higher up the pitch. I’m not at all worried about this, it will be up to me to find the best solution.
The comeback of Caio Henrique
He has come a long way and has worked hard to return to competition. His return is a good thing for the team. It would be a good sign to put him in the squad, as we did with Breel and Mohamed, before seeing him play again. He resumed contact training this week, so we’re taking it step by step.
