Yoan Makoundou (Monaco): “I couldn’t go any lower”
Yoan Makoundou, interior of Monaco, after the 64-60 victory against Olympiakos on Tuesday: “It was complicated, but my family helped me to stay calm. I wasn’t expecting much tonight (tuesday). But when I walked in I had nothing to lose, I couldn’t go any lower. Might as well go all out, show that I hadn’t let go of the team. I bit into it.
“I’m sure I’m not repairing from the same point tonight”
I found a pleasure that I had not known this season. I also wanted to show that I was a player who can be trusted. In the locker room, my teammates greeted me with applause, little slaps (he’s laughing). Does this mark the start of a new season for me? I don’t know, but it’s sure that I’m not repairing from the same point tonight. In the basket, everything can go very quickly. So I try to stay ready all the time. »
Sasa Obradovic, Monaco coach: “It was Yoan who changed the atmosphere of the game, with his offensive rebounds. We started running, defending, scoring… The hierarchy was what it was and it’s difficult to satisfy everyone. But he had his chance, and he exploited it in the best possible way. He is still young and keeps a big margin on precision in spacing, respect for tactical instructions, but he was incredible this evening, during a victory which makes me very happy by the way and the character that we showed after more difficult days.
“For the first time this season, I felt positive vibes from all over the team”
It was a match that looked like a play-off confrontation, in physical intensity, with a lot of tactical moves. On a known ups and downs, on a very poorly executed, in particular. Everyone identified, and for the first time this season, I felt positive vibes from all over the team, especially from the players on the bench. It is also this, this cohesion, which puts you in a position to come back in a match like this. »