Philippe Clement: "Approach this match with determination"
This is the first of three big matches to come. This Sunday at 5:05 p.m., AS Monaco will host Lille, who are fifth, at the Stade Louis-II before two upcoming trips to Lyon, who are seventh, and Rennes in sixth. With renewed confidence after their win in Angers, Philippe Clement’s men will therefore want to continue this upturn in order to further consolidate their position in fourth. It is with this in mind that the Belgian manager spoke at a press conference.
Match point against Lille
The next four games of the season will be like finals. We will have to approach this match with determination and motivation. We worked well this week and I saw a lot of desire among the players to play this match. We have a margin for error, unlike Lille, but we want to win, that’s clear, because if we think of a draw and tell ourselves that we’ll still be five points ahead, it won’t work. We can’t be calculating things like this.
𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕖 🏋️♂️
🔜 #ASMLOSC pic.twitter.com/LmBBS6QiHj
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) May 11, 2023
The team’s level of play against Angers
There was a difference in play between the first and second halves. I was happy with what I saw in the game in the first 45 minutes even though we were lacking in our finishing. We created several chances but a sense of being clinical was not there. The team’s organization was also good.
Nothing but net from Golovin 💫#SCOASM | @Ligue1_ENG pic.twitter.com/Fnj1o9HJ33
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) May 8, 2023
In the second half, we played too defensively, without conceding any chances. Their goal was the only chance they had, and it came from a duel that they had won. This game will have given us confidence and some players had the opportunity to get minutes. Chrislain, for example, had a good match, as did Myron, who had not played 90 minutes for a long time. It is very important that some of them have been able to pick up the pace.
A turnaround against Angers
It happened naturally since we had played two games in which we were not very efficient. It was therefore important to change things up and it worked since there was a good reaction from the starters and the players who came on. During each session this week, everyone showed a good level in order to prove that they were ready to play the next four matches.
A supposedly more difficult schedule
No, we mustn’t say that. Even this season, we have taken four points out of six from PSG when everyone says it’s the hardest match. Every game is different and that’s one of the reasons why this league is very interesting, there are no easy games to win. Facing teams in the fight for survival is also challenging on its own terms.
The U-20 World Cup
It is a very strange thing to organize a tournament before the end of the season, especially when the league is not yet over. It’s unfortunate for players who can’t participate like Eliesse or Edan since it would have brought them great experience. But it is important that they are there to show themselves in training in order to help achieve the goals of the Club.
🌍 4 de nos jeunes #MadeInLaDiagonale sont sélectionnés pour la Coupe du Monde U20 avec l'@equipedefrance !
🇫🇷 Malamine Efekele
🇫🇷 Soungoutou Magassa
🇫🇷 Jordan Semedo Varela
🇫🇷 Yann Lienard𝗙𝗲́𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝘀 👏
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) May 10, 2023
What Myron Boadu brings to the team
Myron remains a young player. He showed in Holland that he could score a lot of goals. He is fast and is able to put himself in good positions to score. Where he can improve? Have more of a winning mentality and not think for too long about the fact that he failed to score. He also needs to get stronger in duels.
But at his age, he remains a great European talent. He is someone who always wants to work for the team. This season, he was unlucky and has been injured. It’s something that we have to deal with, like Golo or Ismail last season. He has never trained as well as this year and that is also why he was able to play 90 minutes at a good level on Sunday.
😮💨 @myron_boadu calm and composed#SCOASM | @Ligue1_ENG pic.twitter.com/8P6iaxAzqS
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) May 8, 2023
A new position for Caio Henrique in Angers
His positioning was important during this game to create more stability. I chose to play with three centre-backs, and Malang was unavailable, while Yllan remains very young and has less experience. Caio, because of his quality with the ball, was important in this role so we could have a good rhythm to our play. Defensively, he also had a good game.
