Maghnes Akliouche: “Repay this trust on a daily basis on the pitch”
He had a very solid first half of the season. Scorer of four goals and as many assists, Maghnes Akliouche has been a major offensive asset for AS Monaco. Against PSG (Wednesday, 9 p.m.), for the last match of the year in Ligue 1 in 2024, the Academy product will therefore want to shine again to allow the Rouge et Blanc to win. It is with this state of mind that he spoke at yesterday’s press conference. 🎙️
A goal of ending the year well
This game against Paris will be an important match against a great team. They are doing good things in the league and are undefeated. We know it won’t be easy but we will give ourselves the means to put in a good performance to get a result. They are also a team that is playing in the Champions League. So it will be a high-intensity match with great players against them. We will prepare well.
His performances this season
I am only focusing on my performances and on this season. I am simply trying to give my all every time. The goal is to progress here, I have everything I need. I get a lot of help every day, I try to give back this confidence on the pitch. So the goal is to try to do good things and to be in constant evolution. It is important for the team and for me too.
Contre éclair mené par George Ilenikhena ⚡
Le bonbon de Maghnes Akliouche pour conclure 🍬‣ #ASMSB29 pic.twitter.com/cxXWt0Qq96
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) November 25, 2024
The next step in his development?
I think I can still improve everywhere, even in terms of goal statistics, where I can do much better. I also need to continue to improve my ability to repeat my efforts on the pitch. I have a huge margin for improvement in many areas. So I need to be attentive to all of that because there is a possibility of developing.
Lessons learned against Arsenal
These are the sort of matches we’ll keep in mind and that we’ll watch several times because we learn a lot of things. We learned a lot from the opponent or even the atmosphere and the fact of facing a big European team. As a young player, these are only good things, the coach is right about that.
It helps us grow and evolve on a personal level. It’s a good step and experience for us. We know that these are very watched and observed matches. It’s sometimes more challenging when you’re a young player. We’ll have others this season in the Champions League to respond.
Showing what they’ve learned against Paris
I don’t know if Paris is the occasion but matches like Benfica are instructive for us. We must use them for the next matches so as not to repeat the same mistakes and do certain things better.
Areas to improve upon against big teams
When you play an opponent like Arsenal for example, you know that there are great players in attack with experience on a European level. They have indeed participated in more matches in the Champions League. It is these little things that make the difference at the top level and that is what we must learn from for the next fixtures.
His personal goals
Honestly, I don’t set too many statistical goals for myself because that can put a certain limit on me. I know that I am capable of having good statistics, so I will do my best to have them and help the team in relation to that.
Ben Seghir 🤝 Akliouche 💎
Un duo #MadeInLaDiagonale 😍🇲🇨
‣ #ASMSB29 pic.twitter.com/HlygD8zHzR
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) November 25, 2024
The last few weeks on the offensive side
I think we’ve managed to create quite a few chances, that remains the main objective. We need to take these chances, this is something collective and not individual, but we are capable of it. We can all score, we often prove it, and it is important to finish our moves. It is already good to create some, we must keep that above all.
The title race
We are not focusing on that. Our goal is clear, it is to be on the podium in Ligue 1 at the end of the season. Of course, we have high ambitions, and if we can go for the title, we will go for it. But the goal is to win all of our matches and the one in Paris is important. As I said, we will prepare well for this match and we will give our all to go for the three points.
On a physical level
That is one of the things we must be able to adapt to, that is what we have done over these first six months. Playing every three days is new for many in this team. We are trying to adapt to it, that is what we wanted, so we are happy with that.
Our bodies are getting used to it mentally and physically, and little by little, it’s interesting for us. It’s only a good thing and I hope we can continue to perform with this fairly sustained pace. Personally, I’m trying to adapt, I’m not that young anymore, I’m 22, so I have to do it.
Thilo Kehrer’s contribution
Thilo is one of the captains with Breel and Zak’. He’s a key player in this team. What I remember about him is that he’s very positive, he’s very important in the locker room to have this type of player. He’s always there to support and encourage you, no matter the failures and mistakes. He’s useful on and off the pitch.
His view on this first part of the season
Our start to the season is rather positive. We are third, level with Marseille and in the race for the play-offs in the Champions League. With this sustained pace and matches almost every three days, I think it is rather positive even if there is always the possibility of doing better.
A silver medal at the Olympics
It’s a competition in which there were some strong human moments. We stayed together for several weeks, we forged strong bonds. I remember this group’s cohesion, we will remember it throughout our lives. This silver medal also brings us together, it’s just one of many good memories.
