“The impression of returning to AS Monaco from last season”
Satisfied with the performance of his players, who went for a second victory in a row against Montpellier (3-1), three players after the success in Eindhoven in the Europa League, the Monegasque coach reacted after the meeting with the media.
And two! Having emerged victorious from their duel with PSV on Thursday in the Europa League (2-1), for the 200th European match in its history, AS Monaco confirmed its reaction, a week after Lyon, by winning convincing success against Montpellier ( 3-1). Very authoritarian in the first hour of play, with an advantage of three goals after returning from the locker room, the Red and Whites thus grabbed three new points to return to two small units of the podium. A satisfactory record for Niko Kovac, who speaks at a press conference.
Good evening Niko. Is it a perfect week for you?
We are happy to have bounced back well after Lyon, having won two good matches, against PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League for the Club’s 200th European and against Montpellier. Today we had 75 first minutes of great quality, with good football. We created opportunities, we got great chances, so we are happy with this result.
𝗟𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗲́𝘁𝗲́ 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁 💼
-𝟏 ⌁ #ASMMHSC pic.twitter.com/1oIpdtCXfZ
– AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) 24 October 2021
After eleven days of the championship, I think we are getting better and better. We are progressing game after game. Like the second but very well concluded by Wissam, with a very high recovery and this fantastic cross from Kevin. That’s how I like to see my team, and we have to continue in this direction.
AS Monaco coach
Do you feel like you have found AS Monaco from last season?
I actually have this feeling to find the team that performed in the second half of last season. After eleven days of the championship, I think we are getting better and better. In game after game. Like the second but very well concluded by Wissam, with a very high recovery and this fantastic cross from Kevin. That’s how I like to see my team, and we have to continue in this direction.
Where do you still think you have room for improvement?
For me we have to finish the game in the first half, scoring the third or the fourth goal. We had possession of the ball and control of the game, but I think we could have killed the game before, because at the end of the game we suffered a bit. That’s why I’m talking about 75 minutes of a very high level. It’s a process, we know that we can still make progress in the management of matches.
How do you explain the small drop in speed at the end of the game?
After the third mais, we changed the way we play a bit. And when you play a little lower, with less pressure, the opponent has more opportunity to build and you are still in trouble. We still have to learn about this, because the situation may happen again in the future. It happened, I remind you that we have a lot of young players, we still have to learn, learn and still learn.
I’m happy with what I saw today, especially since Djibril and Golo ‘joined us this week in a collective session, and will still have time this week to get back in shape for the next rounds.
AS Monaco coach
In any case, you have a fairly large squad this season …
Today, when I see our bench, I say that it is a high level team that can fight for the top of the table in Ligue 1. I want to give playing time to the players who deserve it. It’s a competition, everyone must show desire in training. I said this last season, but I’m not giving away, every player has to show investment. I’m happy with what I saw today, especially since Djibril and Golo ‘joined us this week in a collective session, and will still have time this week to get back in shape for the next rounds.