The press conference of Sébastien Pocognoli and Thilo Kehrer before Galatasaray | OneFootball

Determined to secure a place in the Champions League playoffs, the Monaco coach spoke to the media on the eve of facing Galatasaray at the Stade Louis-II (9pm).

A date with destiny. As they partly play for their future in the Champions League this Tuesday evening against Galatasaray at the Stade Louis-II (21:00), the players of AS Monaco want to win to get a little closer to the competition’s playoffs. It is certainly with a conquering spirit that Sébastien Pocognoli appeared at a press conference on the eve of this crucial match. 🎙️

Regarding the fans’ expectations

We all read the statement this morning. We met with our fans before the trip to Brest, where the dialogue was good, as was their support. But naturally, when results are less than ideal at a club, anywhere in the world, it’s normal to have some dissatisfaction. We have to live with it and, above all, rebuild trust! And the only way to do that, as coach, with the help of my staff, the players, and the entire club, is to deliver strong performances combined with a positive attitude! We are capable of doing this, and the best response we can give tomorrow to calm things down is to play a good match and bring positive things to the pitch.

My role as coach is to focus my attention on the players, to push them, to keep them positive, and to help them enjoy the match, entertain the fans, and show them a good time. This is the first step we need to take together, especially since we can take a significant step forward in the Champions League if we play to our potential. Then there are two more matches before the winter break to hopefully get back on track in Ligue 1, and a good start to the season with our first Coupe de France match coming up, with a desire to continue that adventure. We have taken note of the criticisms, so we will do our best to bounce back and approach these three matches with the determination to achieve our objectives!

The importance of winning

I think every victory is necessary during this period! I always see the glass as half full, and tomorrow we have the opportunity to take a significant step towards our goals; that’s the reality. I’m not wondering what will happen if we lose. It will be the same for our next match against Marseille and then in the Coupe de France. This is the only way to move forward positively! What I see is that we are very active in training, that the players want to change things and that we are working hard every day at the Performance Centre.

I completely agree with the coach's words, and we players have also taken careful note of the statement. It's understandable that the fans reacted this way, since we ourselves are unhappy with the results. We need to stay positive, work hard, and be united as players and staff to get through this period. This will require a good attitude and strong performances. If we can achieve this, our energy will return.

I don’t want to dwell on the instability on the pitch caused by absences, which has been difficult to manage these past few weeks. My role isn’t to create uncertainty in my approach to matches, because I’m convinced the trend will reverse! Other clubs have their ups and downs too, but I’m sure we’ll get back on track.

The expectations placed on Maghnes Akliouche

From our side, we ask something of all the players! Perhaps more of some than others, especially the captain, to keep the group focused and demanding every day. But we also ask the technical leaders to take initiative, and it’s clear they’re capable of doing so in some matches. Then there’s the question of consistency, and whether it’s Maghnes or everyone else, we expect more consistency from him. This is fostered by the daily work, even if it’s not helped by the squad’s instability. So we need to try and rediscover that consistency, and I hope it will come quickly! We discuss all of this individually with the players, but it has to remain internal, and the pressure is high on me, as it is on the entire club, but that’s normal.

The difference between coaching at Union Saint-Gilloise

We’re not at the same level of club, even though both serve as stepping stones. In a way, Union serves as a stepping stone to Monaco, and Monaco to reaching the top of European football. The desire to reach that level is the same. I don’t like to talk about my past, but it’s true that we had players with a point to prove, who were hungry to take that next step, but there are some at Monaco too! And there are more and more of them, because I try to instill in them every day an awareness of how lucky they are to be here, at a club that can allow them to reach the very highest level.

I sincerely hope the players realize that if they can perform well at Monaco, they’ll have the ambition to do so at the highest European level! Ambition needs to be nurtured once again, and players with that ambition need to be supported by the leaders. We’re gradually working on it, even if it’s an invisible process. I repeat, I don’t see any players in training who aren’t willing to give their all and who give up. And in this group, there are bound to be some who will take that next step and be ready for the top level. That’s how it is at every club, and my role is to help these individuals reach their full potential. Players like Thilo (Kehrer) are also very important in supporting these high-potential individuals.

If we perform well offensively in a match, we'll automatically perform well defensively afterwards. Defending and keeping a clean sheet is always a collective effort! It's not just the defenders who do all the work, but the whole team, from the forwards to the goalkeeper. We need to look at things holistically, and I think that by improving in several areas, such as counter-pressing and attitudes, we'll concede fewer goals.

On the match against Galatasaray

It will be a very high-level match against this team, with great intensity. Galatasaray has many talented individuals and a good team spirit, just like us. Tomorrow we’ll have some players returning, which is positive, and we’ll see at the end of the 90 minutes which team has put in the best performance. But I think it will be an open match between two very strong teams on paper.

Who’s available

Thilo Kehrer and Denis Zakaria will obviously be back from suspension, while Folarin Balogun will be tested today, and we hope he will be available. Eric Dier and Christian Mawissa resumed training Sunday, although it will be a bit too soon for tomorrow’s match. Krépin (Diatta) is not on the European squad list, and Ansu (Fati) is still injured. Otherwise, everyone is fit to give their all. Regardingn Paul (Pogba), I said it after the match in Brest, he is still in that necessary progression to get more and more minutes in order to help the team, depending on his development.

Regardless of their role within the Club, everyone wants one thing: to see Monaco perform well! This includes the President, who is here, as well as Thiago, Carlos, the players, and the staff. The result is what gives the overall feeling, and in a defeat as in a victory, there are always positive aspects and areas for improvement.

On the support of the entire Club

I think the entire AS Monaco organization is trying to help the team and resolve the minor issues we’re currently facing. For every problem, there’s a solution, and everyone is focused on that. Regardless of their role within the Club, everyone wants one thing: to see Monaco perform well! This includes the President, who is here, as well as Thiago, Carlos, the players, and the staff. The result is what gives the overall feeling, and in a defeat as in a victory, there are always positive aspects and areas for improvement.

Similarly, just because we win tomorrow doesn’t mean everything will be fixed. We know what needs fixing at every level, and we’re working on it. Personally, I want to keep pushing my players, being positive with them, but also being tough on those who can do more, while remaining objective about what we’re doing day-to-day. And I hope the results will come back, that we’ll be able to put together some winning streaks again and find a stability that will restore confidence!