Reactions 04 June 2022, 15:31

Philippe Clement: "It's a feeling of great disappointment"

Obviously very disappointed by the outcome in the 38th and last match of the Ligue 1 season, won by Toulouse (1-2) despite the Monegasques twice hitting the post in the second half, the Belgian manager spoke after the final whistle.

Infuriating. While the Monégasques had drawn level with TFC thanks to Wissam Ben Yedder’s 98th goal with AS Monaco, and Maghnes Akliouche hit the post twice, our Rouge et Blanc lost after conceding in added time (1-2). It was this defeat that Philippe Clement tried to analyze at a post-match press conference. 🎙

Hello coach. How do you feel after this defeat?

It is a feeling of great disappointment that dominates, it is obviously a failure for us. Today once again the outcome is cruel, because we were very close to going ahead with Maghnes Akliouche hitting the post twice and a chance for Edan Diop at the very end.

When there is a disappointment, you have to know how to bounce back faster, and I take my share of the responsibility. I could not find the right words to change the team's state of mind unfortunately.

Philippe ClementManager, AS Monaco

But when you take risks to score, you expose yourself on the counter, a phase where you don’t normally concede. I saw a team that gave everything until the last second to win the three points. I think we lost our place in Europe in other games, not only because of what happened tonight.

Do you understand the discontent of the supporters?

They are there for us and when they are not happy, they obviously have the right to express themselves. In recent weeks, we haven’t gotten the results we wanted. For me the two key moments of the season was the elimination against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League, because we struggled after this result..

And also the defeat in Lens hurt us, it broke something. These are things that have come back in recent years. When there is a disappointment, you have to know how to bounce back faster, and I take my share of the responsibility. I could not find the right words to change the team’s state of mind unfortunately.

I told my players that we didn't lose our place in Europe today but in several other games where we didn't show the necessary energy and mentality. It is a result that I bear the responsibility for myself in the first place, even if we all lost together.

Philippe ClementOn what he said in the dressing room

How have you experienced the latest results?

I am not someone who runs away from my responsibilities. On the contrary, I try to face up to them, to always be better and to learn from failures. I love this club and I want to fight for it. These moments are difficult, but it is the world of football. Tonight things are hard, I’m tired it’s obvious. I have given everything in recent weeks, certainly making mistakes. I wanted to change things, but I couldn’t.

What did you say after the match?

I told my players that we didn’t lose our place in Europe today but in several other games where we didn’t show the necessary energy and mentality. It is a result that I bear the responsibility for myself in the first place, even if we all lost together.

But indeed there is another generation coming, and which has played minutes in recent months. I think about Eliesse Ben Seghir, Edan Diop and Maghnes Akliouche notably. This is the Club's project, to develop young players and give them experience..

Philippe ClementAbout the team's talented young Monégasques

Now we will have to rely on a young generation that is coming through.

There are players who have been here longer than me and feel like they missed out on not qualifying for the Champions League. But indeed there is another generation coming, and which has played minutes in recent months. I think about Eliesse Ben Seghir, Edan Diop and Maghnes Akliouche notably. This is the Club’s project, to develop young players and give them experience..