Denis Zakaria: "We didn't play the match we needed to" | OneFootball

Back on the pitch after several weeks of absence, the Monaco captain spoke in the mixed zone after the defeat against Lens.

He would certainly have preferred a better result for his return to competition. He came on in the last fifteen minutes: Denis Zakaria made his return to the pitch after several weeks of absence to play against Lens (1-4) a man down.After this difficult match, the Monaco captain spoke in the mixed zone.🎙️

Good evening, Denis. It’s a frustrating defeat on your return tonight…

It’s frustrating because we didn’t play the game we needed to, and it was even harder playing with ten men. We’re really disappointed with this loss. Unfortunately, we gave away the goals; that’s football, it’s part of the game. We need to be better in that area. We lost as a team; we shouldn’t single anyone out.

It's great to be back on the pitch trying to help the team, even if it was quite tough today playing 10 against 11. I'm delighted to be fit again and feeling good so I can be useful in the coming weeks. Clearly, I want to win every time, that's why I want to come back. We'll take it one game at a time with that goal in mind

How did you feel on the pitch after several weeks away?

Very good, it’s great to be back on the pitch trying to help the team, even if it was quite tough today playing 10 against 11. I’m delighted to be fit again and feeling good so I can be useful in the coming weeks. Clearly, I want to win every time, that’s why I want to come back. We’ll take it one game at a time with that goal in mind, and we’ll give it our all, myself included.

You came back faster than expected. This means you responded well to the protocols…

We worked well with the medical staff, which allowed me to return more quickly. I’m happy about that and we’ll do everything we can to keep it that way so I can be as available as possible for the team. (Regarding expected returns for Paul Pogba and Lamine Camara) Competition pushes us to improve, which is a good thing. It will be up to us to work hard, and the more players return, the more we will have to improve.