Akliouche and Zakaria's reactions after the victory against Brest | OneFootball

Scorer of a double and the Monaco captain were present in the mixed zone to debrief the success achieved against Stade Brestois (3-2).

Mission accomplished! Despite a complicated preparation because of the international break, the Rouge et Blanc were able to to pick up a precious win over Brest (3-2), thanks to Maghnes Akliouche, who scored a double. The academy product spoke in the mixed zone afterward, along with Denis Zakaria, who returned this evening.

On the first goal, Eliesse found me well and I finished in one touch. As for the second, I took a run in behind, and George found me perfectly in space. With my first touch, I placed myself in front of the goal and I managed to chip it in. It is important to have the finesse to conclude, that is what I did.

Good evening Maghnes. Can you tell us about your goals and your feelings?

The feeling is definitely good. On the first goal, Eliesse found me well and I finished in one touch. As for the second, I took a run in behind, and George found me perfectly in space. With my first touch, I placed myself in front of the goal and I managed to chip it in. It is important to have the finesse to conclude, that is what I did.

We feel that you have a lot of composure in front of the goal.

We work a lot on that in training, it’s regular work. It’s important for an offensive player to be able to be calm in front of the goal, and today, it worked for me. I hope it will continue like this.

Do you feel like you are gaining strength and confidence?

Yes of course, I am feeling better and better. It also comes from the teamwork that makes me comfortable in this team. Now that I know I am capable of scoring goals, I will have to repeat that. I think I will have other opportunities in other matches.

It was important for Monaco to win this match tonight?

Indeed, it was very important. When returning from the break, it is never easy to win because the players do not come back at the same time, especially since we came up against a good Brest team. So taking three points was important before the Champions League match. We know that it will be a big match because Benfica are playing very well, we will analyze them.

As the matches go by, you inevitably gain experience and I am also progressing physically. For an offensive player, it is important to be able to repeat the runs and that is a bit what happened today on the third goal. So it's great!

Maghnes AklioucheOn his progress

In Strasbourg, it was you that set up Eliesse. Today, it’s the opposite.  How do you explain this connection where we have the impression that you are both playing with your eyes closed?

It’s something natural, we get along well off and on the pitch. Today, it’s him who offers me the goal, it’s good for the team.

Do you feel that you have also progressed physically?

As the matches go by, you inevitably gain experience and I am also progressing physically. For an offensive player, it is important to be able to repeat the runs and that is a bit what happened today on the third goal. So it’s great!

The reaction of Denis Zakaria

Good evening Denis. In coming back from the break, it is never easy to take the three points.

Yes, these are very difficult matches so we are happy to take the three points. I think we started well before experiencing a slightly more challenging second half. In the end, we won this match, that is the most important thing.

Since the day I arrived at the beginning of last season, he has been a player who has completely progressed. I would even say that he is another player. I am very happy with his development. I think he will be a very, very great player. (On the aspects where he has progressed?) On almost everything. Before he was a bit of a "kid", today, he has matured in his game. He often makes the right and good choices. He is a truly incredible player.

Denis ZakariaOn the progress of Maghnes Akliouche

Why is this partnership between Eliesse and Maghnes important?

All players are important. Today, Maghnes helped us a lot with these two goals. He is improving day by day and we are very happy to have him in our team. He will help us a lot until the end of the season.

Do you feel that he is progressing from match to match?

Very clearly, yes. Since the day I arrived at the beginning of last season, he has been a player who has completely progressed. I would even say that he is another player. I am very happy with his development.

I think he will be a very, very great player. (On the aspects where he has progressed?) On almost everything. Before he was a bit of a “kid”, today, he has matured in his game. He often makes the right and good choices. He is a truly incredible player.

How do you explain this more difficult second half?

It’s hard to say, we have to analyze the match. I think we stopped playing after the second goal, that was our biggest mistake. If we had continued to play and scored that third, the match would have been easier. We are happy with these three points in the end.

On a more personal level, how are you doing?

For my part, I’m fine! It’s been a month since I last played so it wasn’t easy in terms of rhythm but I’m happy to be back with the team and to take these three points.

In Monaco, when I arrived here, I quickly saw the quality that there was among the young players. Today and especially for Soungou', I have to say congratulations because he played an incredible match. He has performed well several times, so we are very happy for him and his development

Denis ZakariaOn the team's young players

What style of captain do you think you are on and off the pitch?

I am a rather calm captain by nature. On the pitch, I try to help the team which is quite young. I don’t have much to do, they already do things very well. It’s an easy role with a team like that and I’m very happy to be the captain. Basically, I talk to everyone, I’m a pretty open person. I don’t have a problem with that.

You talked about a young team. Do all these young players surprise you?

Very clearly, they are all very strong. In Monaco, when I arrived here, I quickly saw the quality that there was among the young players. Today and especially for Soungou’, I have to say congratulations because he played an incredible match. He has performed well several times, so we are very happy for him and his development. We can see that he can bring a lot to this team.

You are on ten points behind in the Champions League. Can securing qualification for the play-offs against Benfica ease the pressure on you?

I don’t think so because we are taking it game by game each time. We want to win everything so we will play to try to take the three points and deliver the best possible performance. In the end, we will see where we are but it is sure that it is a good start.