Mika Biereth: "This clash against Manchester City is very exciting" | OneFootball

On the eve of facing Manchester City in the second matchday of the Champions League at the Stade Louis-II (Wednesday, 9 p.m.), the Danish striker from AS Monaco spoke at a press conference.

The Champions League is back in the Principality. While he recently opened his account for the season at the Stade Louis-II against Metz in Ligue 1 McDonald’s (5-2), Mika Biereth is now preparing to challenge the Citizens with AS Monaco in the Champions League this Wednesday (21:00), on the program for the second day of the league phase. It was therefore to discuss this crucial match that the Dane appeared before the media.🎙️

Adi Hütter on Mika Biereth

We have to be honest, if we’re playing Manchester City tomorrow, it’s largely thanks to the many goals Mika scored last season. He helped us climb to third place and secure our Champions League spot by scoring 13 goals and providing three assists in the second half of the season. So he started in Ligue 1 as a formidable weapon!

Then in football, it’s normal to experience periods like this. Mika is the first to not be satisfied with this situation, but besides that he works a lot for the team, and I want to congratulate him for his involvement. I also think that when he performed so well, we only had one match per week, which is very different from this start of the season where we are playing every three days. But I’m sure, Mika will show that he’s back, it’s his nature, his way of being, so I’m not worried about him.

I think I'm going through one of those more challenging phases right now where, as a striker, it's less obvious in terms of confidence. But I think that in this situation you have to know how to take refuge in my work and stay the course.

Mika BierethOn the current moment

On his feelings in the start to the season

It’s always important to remember that in football, all players, but especially young players, sometimes go through periods where things are going very well, and others where things are more difficult. I think that right now I’m going through one of those more complicated phases where, as a striker, it’s less obvious in terms of confidence. But I think that in this situation you have to know how to take refuge in work and stay focused. I haven’t had many chances to score recently, but that’s one of the points I’m trying to self-criticize on, and I have to sort that out myself. In any case, I’m training as hard as I can to get everything back in order and get back to being efficient.

On success at the Stade Louis-II

I think we have the same spirit at home as last season in January when I arrived, and that will continue until the end of the season. I feel like we’re really strong at home, and tomorrow’s match is another opportunity to show it against a great team. We have very good players, and if we play together to the best of our ability, I think we can have a great evening. Especially since there’s a really special atmosphere in the Champions League! It’s obvious that every team prefers to play these matches at home, and as far as we’re concerned, we feel very comfortable at the Stade Louis-II, which makes this clash against Manchester City even more exciting.

In this team we have very good strikers in Folarin (Balogun), George (Ilenikhena) and Paris (Brunner). We all complement each other very well, but I think it will take a little time for it to work. We are doing our best in any case.

Mika BierethOn the team's options in attack

On the development of his play

It is true that it is a little different from last season, already because Breel (Embolo), with whom I had a very good connection both on and off the pitch, left the Club. But in this team we still have very good attackers with Folarin (Balogun), George (Ilenikhena) and Paris (Brunner). We all complement each other very well, but I think it’s going to take a little time for it to work. We’re doing our best anyway.

As for me, regarding the chances I was able to get last season, I think it was a bit new for the team to play with a center forward like me. Eyes were quickly fixed on me, which was a big change. I’m more used to it now, but maybe the opponents know me better too, so I just have to adapt. Then, it’s like the buses in London, when one arrives, the others follow, so I’m not worried.

On Erling Haaland

I think a lot of people, not just me, appreciate the talent and quality  of  Erling Haaland on the pitch! As a young player, I think I can learn a lot from watching such a striker at the top of his game. Tomorrow, when I’m on the pitch with him, I’ll be curious to see how he performs, but I’m also looking forward to competing against a player of that level, and I think it’s the same for my teammates.