“We need to have more jobs”… AS Monaco coach Philippe Clement sets the course before the trip to Strasbourg
On the eve of the meeting, Philippe Clément appeared before the media. The Belgian coach, whose team is eight and six points behind Nice and Marseille, 2nd and 3rd, expects his group to “better manage the key moments of a meeting”.
Coach, how do you view this match in Strasbourg, when ASM has won only one of its last six matches in all competitions?
When we see the statistics of Strasbourg, this team has not lost at home for eight games (1 defeat in its last 8 outings at La Meinau in reality, editor’s note). It will be difficult but interesting for us. The victory in Marseille (0-1) was important. With our young team, this season, we have not won twice in a row outside in L1. This is one of my goals.
Why are you so irregular?
There are two parameters. First, the luck that has not been with us in recent weeks. It was the same in Braga with Wissam (Ben Yedder) offside for a few centimeters. The result could be different. Their first but did not come from a constructed action, but from two deflections after a shot from 35 yards. We cannot do differently. The second has chosen is youth. We must have more skills, better manage the key moments of a match. We guide the players so that they have this experience and to improve the results.
“A big doubt about the participation for Maripan”
Is Guillermo Maripan fit?
There is still a big doubt for me. He has trained individually but not yet with the group. It’s 50-50 at the moment. I cannot give more details on the nature of his injury. But if it was serious, it looks like it. The cruciate ligaments are not affected.
Why are you fielding Jean Lucas rather than Diop currently?
Jean played a good match in Marseille and Sofiane was ready to start in Braga. We are in a rotation period with our six games in three weeks and there are only a few players capable of stringing together these six games. We therefore need freshness, especially on the offensive positions to be decisive. It is for this reason that I made this choice.
Your team sometimes lacks balance, how does it lack?
This is the case from time to time, it is true. We need to have more automation and we need time for that. Despite everything, in 2022, there are three teams in L1 which have made five clean sheets and we are in it. I missed Benoît (Badiashile, Ed) for two months. Even chose with Golovin and Boadu. We can be more consistent, but when the players play the game we want to put in place, they are good matches, like against Lyon or in the second half against Marseille.
“When I hear: should Kovac be fired? It doesn’t affect me”
Volland is currently looking for…
With an attacker, everything can quickly change. All it takes is one action, one but. Kevin said it too. It will be easier when he scores. Its a question of confidence. He works a lot for the team. He also makes good runs but does not always receive the ball. In the first half, in Marseille, he could have been served more. When it doesn’t work for a few weeks, you look for even more.
We wonder if we should dismiss Niko Kovac and appoint you in his place? Does this affect you?
We live in a world where everyone has their say. I am focused on my work and it does not affect me. I am with the players, the staff. I’m not happy with the results, it could have been much better, but in the last two months I see a lot of things falling into place. Outside, it is always the emotions that speak. People outside the group don’t have all the details of what’s going on with the players. We only look at the results but I know that in the long term, we work well.