The reactions of Breel Embolo and Maghnes Akliouche after the Derby | OneFootball

Very happy to have been able to turn the match around to win the clash against Nice at the Stade Louis-II (2-1), the second scorer and the playmaker trained at the Academy spoke in the mixed zone.

They did it! Motivated by the idea of ​​taking revenge after the defeat in the reverse fixture, the AS Monaco players showed great character to come back against Les Aiglons and win the Côte d’Azur derby (2-1). It was a crucial success in the race for the podium, and one that Breel Embolo and Maghnes Akliouche spoke about in the mixed zone post-match 🎙️

Good evening, Breel. It’s an important victory tonight!

It’s true that it’s a very important win, which presented us with  a lot of emotion. It must be said that the situation before the match, with Marseille’s defeat, made the match even more special, with even more at stake! We played a very good first 25 minutes, pressing them hard, creating chances, and even winning a penalty. We also know that this is a team with strong transition skills, whether it’s with Jérémie Boga or Evann Guessand.

We had to get back on track as we had in the first 25 minutes after losing a few silly balls. And we wanted to win for the fans, so I'm happy we were able to do it!

Breel EmboloAbout the team's reaction

Then ten minutes we were more passive, and they took advantage of that to punish us. But we showed a good reaction in the second half, and we knew we didn’t deserve to lose today. We had to break Nice’s defence down by getting forward faster, attacking the area, because we know they know how to defend well. Mika freed us first, then I was lucky enough to make it 2-1. Despite everything, I think we could have taken control of the match earlier or won it more comfortably..

What did you think to yourself at 1-0 to Nice?

Honestly, we thought we had to score at least one, maybe two, goals, because there was the penalty, Maghnes’ (Akliouche) chance, and Taki’s (Minamino) chance. We were playing around the opposition’s box a lot, and at that point, we should have been leading, but we managed to stay calm. We had to get back on track as we had in the first 25 minutes after losing a few silly balls. And we wanted to win for the fans, so I’m happy we were able to do it!

Did the coach have the right words at halftime?

Not just the coach, but everyone! After a good start without managing to capitalize, we just had to persist, force the Nice defense to give in. We just needed a goal to turn the tide and allow us to create a string of chances. After the goal from Mika (Biereth), there were more spaces and the balance of power changed, so it was easier for us.

I spoke to Maghnes and told him we had to keep pushing, and with a good ball he gave me, I managed to finish my shot well! I was very happy; it was a relief for us and for the whole stadium, because that goal gave us three points.

Breel EmboloOn the action that led to his goal

But I also want to congratulate the substitutes, in particular Balo’ (Folarin Balogun) who returned after several months without playing, and even Golo’ (Aleksandr Golovin). We always say we have a strong squad, and today was a team win! Congratulations to the fans too, who pushed us hard at the start of the second half and after the 65th minute, because we knew it was only a matter of time before we got the second goal.

All we needed was some luck in front of goal…

Yes, it’s true, because we had a lot of opportunities in the area among those for Maghnes, Mika, Takumi, and me. But we weren’t precise enough in our final touches, even though they were defending very well. At one point, I spoke to Maghnes and told him we had to keep pushing, and with a good ball he gave me, I managed to finish my shot well! I was very happy; it was a relief for us and for the whole stadium, because that goal gave us three points.

It’ll be important to stay calm at the end of the season, like tonight…

That’s for sure, especially since there are no easy matches in Ligue 1, given the weekend’s results. So we have to take each match one at a time, focusing on ourselves, without looking too much at others, and looking ahead, even if it’s difficult.

We'll have to give 150% in every match, and that's really the mindset we want to continue with. We postponed the Paris Saint-Germain party, but above all, we have a lot of people behind us. It's up to us to go secure second place!

Breel EmboloOn the team's goals for the end of the season

Now we have to stay healthy and be as clear-headed as we were today, because we never got frustrated. We knew that by scoring the first goal, things would be unblocked. So I’m very happy to have been able to win this victory.

You’ve also made a great move by leapfrogging Marseille in the standings!

I’m pleased to have gone ahead of them, even though nothing’s decided yet and there are still big games ahead of us, whether at home or away. We’ll have to give 150% in every match, and that’s really the mindset we want to continue with. We postponed the Paris Saint-Germain party, but above all, we have a lot of people behind us. It’s up to us to go secure second place!

The reaction of Maghnes Akliouche

Good evening, Maghnes. We imagine you’re very happy tonight…

The Derby is one of the most important matches of the season, we know this, and we were determined to give this match 200%, for the fans and for ourselves too! We also knew there was some movement to be made in the table. In the end, we’re very happy with our performance; we fought together to take the three points against Nice, which was great.

y deflection to Mika? He always positions himself well, so when we play him in, it often comes off well. He scored again today, it's great for him!

Maghnes AklioucheOn his assist for Mika Biereth

Do you think this victory was logical?

It’s true that we had quite a few chances, we didn’t convert them all, and we need to work on that, but we still managed to score. And our two strikers were decisive, so that’s very good.

Is the goal now to hold onto second place?

That’s our goal indeed. We’ve managed to regain second place, and the goal is to stay there until the end of the season. There are seven games left, so we’ll have to give it our all to stay at the top.

Do you think you stepped up during the match?

Yes, it’s true. There are always periods like that in a match where there are more opportunities than others. But I managed to do some very good things in the second half and contribute to the team, so I’m happy. My deflection to Mika? He always positions himself well, so when we play him in, it often comes off well. He scored again today, it’s great for him!

With two assists, you’re now the second-best passer in Ligue 1…

I didn’t even know that, you’re telling me, but it’s great! I’m continuing my progress, becoming more and more decisive and helping the team, and that’s the most important thing for me. Finishing as the best passer in Ligue 1? Why not!

We're very happy for him. He's had a pretty difficult time with his injury. So, in the moment, when he scores, we all want to be around him to congratulate him. Today he scored a very important goal, so we really wanted to celebrate with him together

We’ll try to make as many assists as possible, but even goals, because we have to score too (smiles)! Tonight I might have had to score one, but I managed to set up my attackers well, so I’m satisfied.

A final word on the celebration of Breel’s goal with the whole team…

We’re very happy for him. He’s had a pretty difficult time with his injury. So, in the moment, when he scores, we all want to be around him to congratulate him. Today he scored a very important goal, so we really wanted to celebrate with him together.