“It will take a very great Monaco to win here”
On the eve of the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League against Braga, the AS Monaco coach spoke to the media. Extracts.
Philippe Clément will lead AS Monaco on the European stage for the first time. Not at any time, since his team will play, this Thursday (9 p.m. on RMC Sport 1), an 8and first leg of the Europa League on the lawn of SC Braga. Before this meeting against the current 4and of the Portuguese championship, the Belgian technician showed his determination and his desire at a press conference.
When we see all the teams competing in the competition, we tell ourselves that there is still a long way to go. We must concentrate in the same way in each meeting and not rely only on ourselves.
AS Monaco coach
The game against Braga
I think it will be 50-50 because Braga is a very good team, which is unbeaten at home this season in the European Cup and has a lot of quality, especially offensively. They have two wingers who score a lot of goals, a technical and powerful midfielder and a really solid defence. This team is well balanced. It will therefore take a very great Monaco to win here, but we will do everything to achieve it.
Europa League objective
When we see all the teams competing in the competition, we tell ourselves that there is still a long way to go. We must concentrate in the same way in each meeting and not rely only on ourselves. My players showed good things in Marseille and proved, after several undetermined positive results, that we had the qualities to win against good teams.
Workforce management
It depends above all on the physical shape of the players, but also on the mental and tactical aspect. You have to be smart and make the right decisions in order to build a team capable of winning the game.
👥 The 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗲 summoned to face Braga in #UEL pic.twitter.com/SG00CKKtMG
– AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) March 9, 2022
The quality of Monegasque education
It is certain that the formation of AS Monaco is of high quality. We are working to improve it further, but there are already a lot of young players from our Academy in our squad. It’s very important for the Club to give young people a chance.
Vanderson’s successful adaptation
He is still very young and joined us after a four-week hiatus, so at first it was physically difficult for him. But he quickly adapted physically and tactically. He is a very intelligent player, who quickly remembers instructions, who is very eager to learn and who will certainly have a great career. He will probably make a few mistakes, that’s normal, but we are a club that wants to give young players the chance to grow and improve.
🇧🇷🛸 @vandi_001Monster! pic.twitter.com/FtnJRAdSxB
– AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) March 8, 2022