Jordan Teze: "Win the Derby for the Club and our supporters" | OneFootball

The Monaco right back, who has been repositioned in midfield for the past three matches, spoke at a press conference to discuss his state of mind, two days before the Côte d'Azur derby against Nice, at the Stade Louis-II (Sunday, 5:15 p.m.).

He is getting used to his new role. He has been repositioned in midfield for the past three games to cover for absences, and Jordan Teze was notably omnipresent against Manchester City, even scoring a fantastic goal. Two days before the derby against Nice at the Stade Louis-II (5:15 p.m.), the Monaco number 4 spoke at a press conference to discuss the stakes of this important match. 🎙️

An intense schedule

We played well against Manchester City. We knew it was going to be a tough match, but we played as a team and were rewarded with a second goal at the end, which earned us a draw. It’s an important result because it’s our first point in the competition.

It's a really important match because it's the Derby. We have to win it to take three points, but also for the Club and our supporters, so that the Côte d'Azur is red and white. We'll do everything we can to achieve this; we know we're capable of it. Now, as I said, we have to recover well and analyze this team on video to be ready for Nice.

There was perhaps more fatigue than usual at the end because we were playing one of the three best teams in the world. This match therefore required more collective energy from us, but we have a little time before the reception of Nice. Our objective is to recover well to be ready for the Derby; this run of fixtures is not a problem.

The Importance of the Derby

It’s a really important match because it’s the Derby. We have to win it to take three points, but also for the Club and our supporters, so that the Côte d’Azur is red and white. We’ll do everything we can to achieve this; we know we’re capable of it.

Now, as I said, we have to recover well and analyze this team on video to be ready for Nice. The result against City certainly gave us confidence because that match showed that we can play and defend well as a team; we’ll have to do the same.

His new positions

I’m now more and more used to playing in midfield. I’ve played in this position before, the coach has given me confidence and I feel comfortable. The players in front of me and behind me help me a lot, while Mamadou Coulibaly,for example, also gives me advice.

They tell me to remember to look behind me because that’s not necessarily the case when you’re a full back; there’s less risk of having a player behind you. It doesn’t matter where I play, it suits me, but in midfield, I can have more impact on the game and touch the ball more, which is what I like about this role.

His goal against the Sky Blues

I knew I could deliver shots like that; the coach had told me to shoot more at the beginning of the week. I was positioned a good distance from the goal, so I just tried, and luckily, it worked.

Mamadou Coulibaly’s performance against City

His performance against Manchester City wasn’t a surprise to me, because I know what he’s capable of. Madou showed everyone his qualities; he’s a very good player who brings a lot of energy and plays well.

The Stade Louis-II is our home, so we have to defend it; it's important to us. The fans come to encourage us and watch us; we feel good there. I knew this statistic about our record at home in 2025, it gives us confidence and shows that it is never easy to get a result when we're at home.

Jordan TezeOn the team's good results at home

A change in level

From the outside, it might seem very strange to see such a difference in level between our match against Manchester City and Lorient a few days earlier. I think we started well in Lorient, before receiving a questionable red card and conceding a goal in the process. It was difficult; we suffered, but we gave 100% of what we could while down a man. I think if we had won there, no one would have said we played badly.

On the team’s good results at home

The Stade Louis-II is our home, so we have to defend it; it’s important to us. The fans come to encourage us and watch us; we feel good there. I knew this statistic about our record at home in 2025, it gives us confidence and shows that it is never easy to get a result when we’re at home.

The mentality of Krépin Diatta

He’s professional and always gives 100% during training. As soon as he’s on the pitch, he shows that he’s hungry. He’s a very good player, versatile, and he gives energy to the whole team. He also doesn’t hesitate to communicate to try to motivate everyone. Krépin is really important for us, and even when he was on the bench, he spoke with the young players. He has a lot of experience, for example, having played several Champions League matches in his career, which is positive.

I've changed a lot since I arrived a year ago. Last season was my first outside the Netherlands, and I needed to adapt. I learned a lot, which helped me grow as a person and as a footballer, which is important. I'm happy that things are going well now.

Jordan TezeOn his development at the Club

Scoring goals at the end of the match

It’s thanks to the substitutes who gave us an extra boost during the last 20-30 minutes. I think we scored almost each time close to the end of a match (except in Lille, ndlr.). This means that we can turn the tide of a match, thus showing the character of the team.

His development over the past year

I’ve changed a lot since I arrived a year ago. Last season was my first outside the Netherlands, and I needed to adapt. I learned a lot, which helped me grow as a person and as a footballer, which is important. I’m happy that things are going well now.

The Dutch national team

I definitely think about it, but there’s a lot of competition in the Netherlands. At right-back, there’s Justin Timber at Arsenal and Denzel Dumfries at Inter Milan, while in midfield, you have Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong or Ryan Gravenberch, so it’s not easy. It’s a goal; I just have to put pressure on coach Ronald Koeman; I can’t do more.