The reactions of Nico Kovac and Kévin Volland before AS Monaco – LOSC
In the traditional pre-match press conference, Monegasques Nico Kovac and Kévin Volland are interviewed in front of the press. They mention in particular the sequence of matches, the lack of confidence of their team, and the importance of this meeting against LOSC.
In a bad patch, AS Monaco must revive against a direct competitor to reach the top of the table. Like the LOSC, the Red and Whites show a huge lack of realism, but Nico Kovac wants to look at the positive above all: ” I am aware that we have not scored in the last three games. I know this statistic and I’m not happy with it. But I always try to look at things positively, even if it is not easy in this case. We used these ten days to work on the offensive animation with the good ten players who were present. Sometimes in football you need a click. If you don’t fight for it, you aren’t turning the situation in your favor. We have to force our opponents to master mistakes. The major difference with last season is that we played one game a week, while here we play two, with trips to digest. I see when the players are tired. Making them play then amounts to having less efficient players and risking injury. So I have to find a balance between making them play and letting them rest. I hope we will restart the machine and that it will be the start of a series. We are six points behind the second, it’s a lot and a little at the same time. “
There will be only 4 absent against LOSC according to the German coach, but his group, with many international returning from the selection, will be very motivated and in a good state of mind: ” Everyone is well. There are only Cesc (Fabregas) and Eliot (Matazo) who are still injured. Golovine and Badiashile are suspended. We have to find a good balance with the playing times that everyone has had during this international period. But when you win, when you are qualified with your national team, mentally, you are in a good state of mind and your legs are less heavy. Maripan? He returns tomorrow (today, editor’s note). You know it is very far (in Chile). He’s not forfeited the game, but we have to see how he feels. “
Also back from the national team, Kévin Volland broached the subject of AS Monaco’s lack of realism, but said that this meeting against LOSC is essential for the rest of the championship: ” Sometimes you have times when it doesn’t work out the way you want it to. We haven’t scored in the last three games so we have to work really hard in training to fix that. Sometimes, leaving for the national team is good for the heads, we come back mentally fresher. As a striker you always want to score in every game, but the most important thing is that the team wins. The opponents know that we are a dangerous team and they are closing the game a little more than last season. We will have to play as a team, that’s what made us strong last season, and if we do that I’m sure it will come back. One choice is certain is that this match against Lille is very important for us. We’re six points away from second place (occupied by Lens) so if we win it could be a good opportunity to close the gap, stimulate us to build up even more confidence and that would kick-start a new dynamic. “