“A pride in representing your country”
Always present in the top 5 of the best training centers in France, the Academy of AS Monaco is in the spotlight in the “Rookie” series. For this thirteenth episode, meet Lucas Michal, U19 striker, currently in selection with the France U17 team.
Football is his life! Originally from the Paris region, where he was born and pushed his first balloons in Ivry-sur-Seine at the age of 8, Lucas Michal is a pure striker. Immersed in the very small bath, by a father who had played football before him, the current member of the U19 workforce of Frédéric Barilaro, joined AS Monaco in the summer of 2020.
A linear route
After experiences at Paris FC, where he wanted “to face players of a higher level”, then at the Pôle Espoirs de Reims and at the US Torcy, he therefore joined the Academy to take a new course. The one who allowed him to join the France U17 team this week, to play two friendlies against Italy (he held to the first leg, defeat 3-1, editor’s note), in the company of his club teammate, Lisandru Olmeta. Meeting with a young striker, who does not lack ambition… and self-criticism!
My beginnings in the Paris region, it helped me in my career, because there are a lot of excellent players there. Confronting the best is always good for yourself. And then it made me feel more comfortable when I arrived here.
AS Monaco U19 forward
Hello Lucas. To start, tell us a bit about your profile …
I am a striker who rather speaks his speed, who plays percussion. I also like the ball at the foot, dbbler. Then I think I have to improve in terms of the head game, the finish and the long game as well. At times I can do better. I have the necessary mental qualities, the will to always surpass myself, progress and want to do more to reach the top level. I am a hard worker. When we work with a ball I’m the first.
Tell us about your arrival at the AS Monaco Academy …
It was a source of pride for me to join AS Monaco. It was decided when I was at Paris FC. I was sent a summons to make a detection in Evry for the Club. I went there, it went very well and I was promptly called back to come and visit the training center. When I arrived here, I instinctively liked it, I immediately wanted to come. In addition, AS Monaco are a great club, so I didn’t think too much about signing here. Especially since the Diagonale is the perfect place for young players, for progression. There is everything here, the physiotherapy room, the school within the building. This is a plus for us. I think it’s perfect to try to reach the top level one day, everything comes together.
He’s a very fast player, very swift. He has a good sense of movement and likes to take up space when there is depth, which is a very good point for an attacker. Technically he’s someone who’s pretty clean and sharp in everything he does, so he’s interesting young. Where he has to work more to progress, in my opinion, is in the back-to-goal game, and in the finish.
AS Monaco U17 coach
How did your integration go?
Last year, it was a bit complicated with the health crisis. We finished the championship in first place before the end of the competitions. From a collective point of view it was rather interesting, and individually I found myself well. My adaptation was done quickly, because I was very well received by all the teachers, staff and my teammates. Then, when I arrived in U19, I immediately saw the difference in level, even if it is not huge in itself. But I managed to adapt well in my opinion.
How does it feel to be by Frédéric Barilaro, who has launched so many great players?
It is a pride to be recorded by a coach of this level. When we see that he has launched players who today are capable of winning a World Cup, that commands respect. You can only learn from people like that. I wouldn’t say it’s a pressure to say that great players have been trained here. For me it’s more about motivation. When you see the big names who have passed through the Academy, it makes you want to do like them and even do even better if possible.
What are your sources of inspiration today?
I am inspired by many players in my post, such as Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Kingsley Coman. I watch them and try to learn because they have pretty much the same qualities as me and they use them well to help their team.
Lucas has great qualities of speed and percussion. He must nevertheless improve in the protection of the ball and in the finish. He listens and shows a good attitude at work.
AS Monaco U19 coach
What does it mean to you to be selected with France?
It is always a great pride to be called to represent your country, even if it is not an end in itself. Because we see that some have not made selections in young people, but still manage to pass. It is not something that I rely on. At the beginning it is always better to be accompanied by teammates in the club. But as we go along we adapt and we also create friendships with those we meet in the France team.
Dispute Euro 2022 of the category is there a but for you?
It’s a great competition, so obviously it would be a source of pride to be selected for France. We definitely want to participate, but it’s at the end of the season, so for now I’m focusing on my season with AS Monaco.
Precisely, what are your objectives at the individual and collective level?
Already from a collective point of view, we got off to a good start in the championship, so we have to continue this momentum, to finish in first place in the standings at the end of the season and play the play-offs. Then there is the Gambardella Cup which is a great competition, where you want to have a good course. Finally from a personal point of view, I hope to be as decisive as possible, to help the team and to be the most efficient. I don’t set myself any statistical goals, although I try to score and get as much as possible.
𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙚, episode 1⃣: meet Tiago Ribeiro
Throughout the season, we will introduce you to the young shoots of the club through this new series. Meet Tiago Ribeiro, N2 midfielder
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– AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) September 3, 2020
It’s an obvious goal, especially since we know that the final is being played at the Stade de France, so it makes you want to go far in this competition even more.
AS Monaco U19 forward
The Club have already won the Gambardella four times. Does that make you dream?
It’s an obvious goal, especially since we know that the final is being played at the Stade de France, so it makes you want to go far in this competition even more. I remember Tiago Ribeiro’s goal at the Stade Louis-II against Sochaux a year and a half ago, it was magnificent. They were going to win when the health crisis hit. So I hope we can achieve our victory.
Finally, tell us about the rap clip in which you participated …
We did a project with Momo, an educator from La Diagonale. As there was no match during the health crisis, we had to find something to do, so we made a clip with my teammates. It was a good experience, it made us laugh, and today when I watch the clip, I find it interesting what we did. We got roomed in selection when they saw him (smile). Rap speaks to me, I listen to Ninho, Kaaris, all the little known rappers. It’s part of my concentration on the bus when we go to the game. But once in the locker room, we take off the headphones.