“Another opportunity to show our qualities”

On the eve of the duel against Aston Villa at the Stade Louis-II (6:45 p.m.), the Monegasque striker, decisive 10 times this season, was present at a press conference.

They have the possibility of validating their place for the Champions League play-offs. With ten points on the clock before the seventh day, the Red and Whites only need a victory to secure the top 24. It is with this objective that Breel Embolo presented himself, decisive three times since the start of the competition, at a press conference on the eve of the Aston Villa reception (Tuesday, 6:45 p.m.). Excerpts. ????️

His personal season

As I've always said, I don't just define myself as a goalscorer. I accept reviews even if I don't read them. In any case, I am working on the ground to find solutions because I have high personal ambitions, and so does the Club. It is important to move forward.

I'm 27 years old, I'm an experienced player, I don't worry too much, I know I have to concentrate on my performances and it will come back. It's true that as a striker, I'm missing maybe four or five goals and some of my performances haven't been rewarded. The most important thing is victory.

His return from injury

It has often been explained to me that with an injury like that, it takes the same amount of time to regain sensation as the duration of the downtime. I wanted to say congratulations to the medical staff for getting me back on my feet so quickly. I then had the chance to go on to the Euro but perhaps also bad luck because I had less physical preparation and Ligue 1 started quickly.

As I scored quite quickly, everyone thought they saw the old Breel again. I'm happy to be on the field and healthy. After a cruciate ligament rupture, you may lack direction and you think a little more in duels. It's not an excuse because if I play, it's because I'm 100% helping the team.

The match against Aston Villa

We want to show that we are still the team we were two or three months ago with the same coach and the same people around us. The experienced players and the coach were always there to say that it was normal, that we should not look at others and focus on our performances and our personal development. Tomorrow is a Champions League match, it's a chance to forget the match against Benfica. It's another opportunity to show our qualities to get a victory and reverse the trend.

Benfica, a pivotal meeting?

This match cost us points, we might have one or three more today, that changes the ranking. We don't know what would have happened next if we had won. Psychologically, I don't find that we are destabilized. We are in a special situation.

Every season since my arrival two years ago, I have always had a complicated moment at some point. Every team has ups and downs, we showed that we were capable of bouncing back. I have confidence in everyone, we have to work harder and be more careful on the pitch because every little bad decision can be punished by the opponent. We must be united and work.

The arrival of Mika Biereth

I am experiencing this new competition very well. His arrival means that we were missing something and that we are therefore trying to adapt. Everyone knows the current situation, we are working to change it. Mika is a great guy capable of bringing a different quality than mine to the field. It’s good for everyone including me. I hope he helps us as quickly as possible but it's up to us to make him adapt quickly to the team.

A relaxation after the start of the season?

No, there was no drop in intensity, especially with the coach and the leaders. If we reduced the kilometers traveled and the intensity, we would be killed (smile). During our good start to the season, everyone didn't expect us to be so strong.

Now, perhaps the teams have more respect for us and therefore leave less space. It's up to us to make the switch to understand that the more we win, the more teams are afraid of us and the more difficult it becomes to attack. We must make 100% defensive and offensive efforts because the opponents are waiting for us and want to harm us.

About Emiliano Martinez

I've never met him but he's a great goalkeeper, one of the best in the world. He has been at the top level for several years. I know what awaits us tomorrow, he has a lot of personality. We will do everything to score and win.

Less pressure in Milan in case of success

We want to do the job but we also wanted to do it before each match by taking the three points to qualify before the winter break. I think we did a good job before the last four games where we knew we were going to play four big teams.

We have already demonstrated that we can win against one of the best teams in the world. The goal is to win tomorrow, as is the case with every match, and secure our place in the standings. One thing is certain, even if we take the three points tomorrow, we will not go to Milan for sightseeing but to get a good result.

Aston Villa's match at Arsenal

This is a team we are used to watching in the locker room. There are quality players. I think a lot of us watched the Arsenal game. They are solid behind, in front and on set pieces. They showed a great response to come back from a two-goal deficit. We respect them a lot, we will have to be ready to face them tomorrow. We will be at home and we will also show up with a strong team. We are certainly in a difficult phase but it is also the right time to show our level.

(On their LDC ranking) I'm not surprised that they are fifth because if you look at their performances in recent years, they are in the top 6-7 in England. In terms of quality and personality, they have top players. Unai Emery is a good coach with good playing precepts.