Subašić, the 2013 transfer window, Arsenal… The memories of Marc-Aurèle Caillard
This Sunday, AS Monaco hosts Clermont Foot at the Stade Louis-II (5:05 p.m.). Interview with the former goalkeeper of the Rouge et Blanc (2010-2015), trained at the Academy and also spent in Auvergne.
He has experienced many things at AS Monaco. Arrived in 2010 at the age of 16 at the Academy, Marc-Aurèle Caillard experienced the rise in Ligue 1, the XXL summer transfer window of 2013 or the epic of 2015 in the Champions League. Present at the Club for five years, the But goalkeeper then joined Clermont and is now at FC Metz. On the occasion of the Red and White match against the Auvergnats (Sunday, 5:05 p.m.), he tells us about his memories of his time in the Principality and in particular his relationship with Danijel Subašić. Interview.
Hello Marc-Aurele. How have you been since your cruciate ligament injury last August?
Today is fine. I had surgery on September 8 in Lyon. The operation went well. I started my rehabilitation in Metz and I’m going to Clairefontaine for three weeks from the 24th in order to continue.
When I was younger, I had already come to test at AS Monaco. But when I got there, I broke my wrist. So I redid the tests during this last year, they wanted to see me again and I then signed at the Club for a first two-year contract. I arrived in 2010 when I was 16 years old.
Goalkeeper of AS Monaco between 2010 and 2015
How do you get to the AS Monaco training center?
I did three years of pre-training at Clairefontaine. It was the last year before it went to two years, like in all pre-training centers. During this last year, we played in U16 Nationals.
When I was younger, I had already come to test at AS Monaco. But when I got there, I broke my wrist. So I redid the tests during this last year, they wanted to see me again and I then signed at the Club for a first two-year contract. I arrived in 2010 when I was 16 years old.
So you did all your training at the Club.
That’s it. I was on the bench for the first time at 16-17 years old with the professionals. It was in Nantes in November 2011 (3-0 defeat) with Marco Simone and Frédéric Barilaro as coaches. After that, I quickly joined the pro group in training, before signing my first professional contract at 18.
What was your relationship with André Amitrano, the goalkeeping coach at the time?
It’s going really well. It is partly thanks to him that I joined the pro group. I had already played a match with the CFA when I was 16 since there was a shortage of goalkeepers. Martin Sourzac went down with the U19s for the Gambardella final in 2011 against Saint-Etienne and Franck L’Hostis went up with the pros. This is what allowed me to play this game. The meeting had gone very well.
We have always had a very friendly relationship even if work is work. We got along very well and he did everything to protect me and keep me under his wing. When I left Monaco and came back for a match here, he was still there and it made me happy to see him again.
You do not win the Gambardella but you are champion of France U19 Nationals in 2013.
That’s it. It is not a regret not to have won the Gambardella because it was not my generation, I was on the bench only once in this competition. And as I said, I play with the CFA in Albi that day. I was still able to play it the following years even if we didn’t win it. It seems to me that we had lost against Bordeaux in the quarter-finals once. But I participated in the title of French U19 National champion in 2012-2013 (victory against Nantes in the final), so I won a trophy too.
It immediately went well with Suba. He was a very cool person in training, who knew how to laugh when necessary. But he was a very big boss. Everyone knows what he achieved with AS Monaco, he was a top goalkeeper. It was not him who impressed you the most in training but he knew how to be decisive during the matches.
Goalkeeper of AS Monaco between 2010 and 2015
How did you get along with Danijel Subašić?
Very well. Personally, I had gone up with the pros before the takeover in December 2011. There was a big investment to bring the Club back up. It immediately went well with Suba. He was a very cool person in training, who knew how to laugh when necessary. But he was a very big boss. Everyone knows what he achieved with AS Monaco, he was a top goalkeeper. It was not him who impressed you the most in training but he knew how to be decisive during the matches.
What could you learn from him?
What impressed me was that he was very strong on his line. He also had a calm, a serenity and a management of the event that kept him from being disturbed. If AS Monaco won the title of champion of France in 2017 and achieved the epics in the Champions League, it is largely thanks to him.
Tell us about the 2013 summer transfer window. It must have been crazy to experience that.
It’s certain. I remember that we are celebrating the Ligue 2 title when we learn of the arrival of Radamel Falcao. The President had organized a big evening with in particular the room of Akon for a concert, and it is during this one that we see a video presentation in order to announce his recruitment.
At the time, we were impressed because we thought we were going to rub shoulders with very great players. This is really where AS Monaco reached a milestone in notoriety. It was great everyday to be alongside all these stars.
Among all these players, which one impressed you the most?
They all marked me but I will say Bernardo Silva. In training, he really impressed me with his technique. He was really good technically, he did what he wanted with the ball. There is also Dimitar Berbatov. In front of the but, it was clinical. A real killer! He wasn’t kidding. Whether it was him or Falcao, in training, they were really there to push you, and that’s what makes the mark of great players. When we see their career, we can only applaud.
I have experienced many extraordinary things with the Club. When I was at the Center, I won the title of French champion in U19 Nationals. There was the rise in Ligue 1 then the year after, we finished second. We realize the epic of the Champions League where we are eliminated by Juve in the quarters after having eliminated Arsenal. We win at the Emirates. The return match was hot, it was great moments to live.
Goalkeeper of AS Monaco between 2010 and 2015
Do you have a particular anecdote from your time at AS Monaco?
I have experienced many extraordinary things with the Club. When I was at the Center, I won the title of French champion in U19 Nationals. There was the rise in Ligue 1 then the year after, we finished second. We realize the epic of the Champions League where we are eliminated by Juventus in the quarters after having eliminated Arsenal. We win at the Emirates. The return match was hot, it was great moments to live.
I was third goalkeeper at that time. Being in the locker room and seeing how they prepare for such games was rewarding. Also for the little anecdote, my first match in Ligue 1 of my season was in Monaco in 2018. It was with Guingamp just before Christmas. A nice wink and a good time that will remain etched in my memory.
How do you apprehend this role of understudy or third goalkeeper when you are at AS Monaco?
When you are third goalkeeper, you are mainly there to help the players in training when they need it. For the matches, you have to prepare the first goalkeeper as well as possible and compensate for any injury in order to be on the bench. But above all, you have to be at the service of the group, be needy, hardworking and encourage them.
Is it a disappointment not to have been able to play matches?
Yes it’s sure. I would have liked at least to participate in a match. For example, as I haven’t played any matches in Ligue 2, I’m not considered a French champion. That’s how it is, you shouldn’t have any regrets in life, otherwise you won’t move forward. Everyone has their career and their career choices, that’s how it is.
𝟭𝟬 𝗮𝗻𝘀 of Presidency: 𝟭𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 keys 🔑
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Finally, what would be your finest moment with AS Monaco?
I would say the title of champion of France with the U19 Nationals because I participated in the coronation. Emotionally, I think of the evenings when you win at the Emirates and then qualify on the return. No one saw us winning, we were the underdogs.
In the locker room, we had celebrated it with everyone. I had made the trip to the Emirates but the atmosphere that had marked me the most was that of the Juventus Stadium. It was something exceptional to experience.