With two clean sheets in a row in AS Monaco’s last two Ligue 1 outings, the last bastion of the Red and Whites spoke at a press conference before the trip to Montpellier on Sunday (5:05 p.m.).

It is imperial in 2022! Author of decisive saves against Rennes before the winter break (2-1 success), Alexander Nübel has not yet conceded a goal in this new year. Author of two clean sheets in a row against Nantes (0-0) and Clermont (4-0) in the league, the German goalkeeper of AS Monaco has taken on impressive stature in recent weeks. Two days before facing Montpellier, a direct competitor in the standings, he delivers his impressions to the media. Extracts.

Its rise in performance

To be honest, I haven’t really changed the way I work. Above all, I had to adapt to this new life, to this new country, and to a new championship. The first games were not at the level I hoped for. But you had to stay calm and take refuge in your work. That’s what I did. Week after week I improved, and I feel much better now. Today I have confidence in myself, I perform well, and I have become fulfilled.

The same competition for the position of goalkeeper

Competition helps me when it’s healthy, like it is here. If you have good competition between goalkeepers, you progress and you show your qualities every weekend. It’s a good thing to have chosen to have this emulation in the group, it pushes you to always do better, to always show more on the pitch. Especially if it takes place in a good atmosphere, which is the case in Monaco. I’m more of a person who helps my teammates and tries to be fair. All this is positive for us.

On the instructions of the staff

When you change a staff, there are always some small changes in the way of working. I talk a lot with the new goalkeeping coach, who gives me advice. There have not been any major changes in my way of raising short or long, during matches. It mainly depends on the opponent we have against us.

The pressure he may have felt in his early days

In the past, I have been a little more nervous in this situation, but I have learned to stay calm and composed. You just had to work even harder than before. I just tried to get better and better, either personally or with my teammates. I worked on myself and my partners helped me. I discussed with my family also about this pressure that I felt, and they helped me a lot to manage the situation. Regarding the coach, I have the impression that he tries to be close to the players, there is a really good atmosphere in training and I feel it every day. It is beneficial for everyone.

“Well done Greens” 💬 @gmaripan3 pic.twitter.com/Sr9KuNyXyv

– AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 20, 2022

Communication with its partners

I think my “body language” on the pitch has been good in recent weeks, I express myself a lot more on the pitch, I communicate a lot with my partners. In the field, I try to speak French with the French speakers and otherwise we use English a lot to talk to each other in the group and with the staff. Mastering the French language can help, but I have to continue taking lessons to progress gradually (smile).

The players he feels close to

My adaptation was not very easy at first, but today I am very happy to be here, where I am much more fulfilled now. I’m learning a new language, a new culture, and it’s very enriching. It is true that the presence of Ismail and Kevin facilitated my integration into the group, even if I did not know them before arriving in Monaco. I also get along very well with Radoslaw, Strahinja and Aleksandr for example. We really have a great group and I’m very happy to evolve within it.

The performance of Caio Henrique

He is really very versatile as a player. He can play on the left wing or in defence. It is really a very important element, which can do many things. We saw that he could also play very well in the position of number 10 in the last games. He has a lot of footballing qualities and he is also a very good guy.

🇧🇷💬 Caio’s first goal with AS Monaco and with the right foot please.

➥ #ASMCF63 I 𝟰-𝟬 pic.twitter.com/oNn15BcPh1

– AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 17, 2022

The progress of Aurélien Tchouameni

He is already a top player, who is an international tricolor (7 selections). We know the quality of the tank of the France team, so that says a lot of the qualities he has. He is a very important player for us, and for me he will become a benchmark in future years at number 6 or 8, that’s for sure.