Ligue 1 Uber Eats 27 October 2023, 23:25

Maghnes Akliouche: “Remain patient while being determined”

Very impressive at the start of the season with already three goals and an assist in Ligue 1, the attacking midfielder trained at the Academy spoke to the media about his current form and the upcoming match in Lille, 48 hours before the trip to the stadium Pierre-Mauroy.

He is full of confidence now. Author of a magnificent double against Olympique de Marseille to offer AS Monaco a prestigious victory at the Stade Louis-II before the break (3-2), Maghnes Akliouche is ready to keep going. An established starter and also decisive since then with the French Espoirs (U-21s), the playmaker trained at La Diagonale spoke at a press conference this Friday to discuss the latest and a crucial match which looms in Lille (Sunday, 3 p.m.).🎙

I'm happy with my start to the season. My playing time is becoming more and more important. I work hard in training and I have the confidence of the staff, it’s very good. I have to continue this way. Afterwards, obviously there is always a little frustration because when you are competitive, you always want to play. But there are a lot of qualities in this position and Golo' is a reference at this position for me.

Maghnes AklioucheAS Monaco midfielder

His start to the season

I’m happy with my start to the season. My playing time is becoming more and more important. I work hard in training and I have the confidence of the staff, it’s very good. I have to continue this way. Afterwards, obviously there is always a little frustration because when you are competitive, you always want to play. But there are a lot of qualities in this position and Golo‘ is a reference at this position for me. I have to remain patient while being determined. My objective is of course to challenge the regular starters.

𝘔𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 ✅🎥

Maghnes Akliouche pour le but décisif ⚡️#MadeInLaDiagonale pic.twitter.com/xefyVwKKmk

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) October 2, 2023

The role of the coaching staff

The coach and the staff help me a lot. They talk to me regularly so that my progress is constant. They want to help me progress technically but also tactically. It’s good to have this contact on a daily basis and it works since the squad listens to the coach’s words, especially offensively. I regularly work on tracking back defensively, which I think is innate in me. I know that this work is important because if we get the ball back, we can move forward quickly.

Playing with Les Espoirs

It is a point of pride and a great honor to be called up for Les Espoirs. I have a good relationship with Thierry Henry, for whom I have respect as a coach and player. The entire squad listens to his advice, because we all know the man and the player who he was. I play in the same position as at the Club, that is to say behind the attackers, where I feel most comfortable, in the middle. So it’s easier to adapt. But it’s important to give my best regardless of my role on the field.

𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙞 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙝𝙣𝙚𝙨 😍

Le premier but de @Nesmaar_A avec les Bleuets 💎⚽️#MadeInLaDiagonale pic.twitter.com/QPB4zSilHw

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) October 17, 2023

Working on his mental level

Over the course of the matches played, one inevitably gains experience and I feel more comfortable on the pitch. We have to continue this way but it’s like that for a lot of players. I feel less pressure, and I only focus on my performance to help the team as much as possible.

I think Maghnes has reached a new level at the start of the season, he has shown that he is confident at the moment. Against Metz it was risky because I brought him into midfield, to have a third playmaker. As I said before, we have a lot of possibilities in this position. He is in very good form and I hope that continues.

Adi Hütter, on Maghnes AklioucheAS Monaco manager

A different approach when he comes off the bench

The approach is completely different between when you start or come on. When the coach calls on you during a match, you have to be immediately ready mentally and physically. You have to work hard on warming up and watching your teammates and opponents. The match starts as soon as I’m on the bench and you have to know how to be good when the coach gives you your chance.

His appearance off the bench against Metz

The coach played me behind two attackers, Wissam and Folarin. My objective was to bring more offensively in order to create chances. That’s what I tried to do and it worked for us because we were able to turn the match around to take the three points.

Maghnes Akliouche. That's the tweet 🤯#MadeInLaDiagonale pic.twitter.com/B6X1LU0GvD

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) October 24, 2023

AS Monaco’s good start to the season

It’s true that we started the season well but it’s only the beginning. We must hope to continue this way of playing in order to qualify for Europe, that is our objective. When we see the other clubs playing during the week, we inevitably have a little frustration. That’s why we have to do what it takes to get back to it.

A word on his contract extension

A career is made up of ups and downs. But I have always had confidence in AS Monaco, which is a great club. You have to know how to be patient. Today, I have the confidence of the club and I am happy having made the choice to extend my contract. I hope it continues in this direction.

But when you see that nine Academy players were in the squad against Metz, it reinforces my choice. It is a pride to have this academy with such quality. We won the Coupe Gambardella last season, it’s a continuation of that. It’s important that they show themselves at the highest level.

A word about Lille, Sunday’s opponent

Lille will be a great opponent since they are a good team. We know it will be tough going there but we are going to go there while keeping our values and our playing principles to try to get a good result in the North.

Monaco, the best attack in the championship

We don’t talk about it among ourselves. We know that the attack has quality, and that we try to perform every weekend. Everyone thinks of the team first and when we come on the pitch, we try to be decisive.