“These are three very important points for us!”

Very satisfied with winning the three points against Brest at the end of a lively match (3-2), the Monegasque technician spoke at a press conference to analyze the performance of the Rouge et Blanc.

One more, the third in a row in all competitions! In front of the scoreboard very early in the game, the AS Monaco players did not give up to finally glean another victory against Brest (3-2). A result which consolidates the position of the Rouge et Blanc in the ranking, and which coach Adi Hütter spoke to the media. Excerpts ????️

Good evening coach. What is your analysis of this new success?

First of all, I'm very happy that we won all three points tonight. We expected to do this performance before the match. On the scenario, we quickly lead 2-0 and we even have the opportunity to score a third just before the break. But Brest then showed that they were a good team that never gives up, and we had to fight at the end to get this result. So these three points are very important!

Tell us about Maghnes Akliouche’s performance…

I would first like to say that he had a fantastic match, especially on the second goal, which is really magnificent for me! He was able to run and exert himself for 90 minutes, it's amazing.

Especially since it was not easy to prepare for this match, since some internationals only returned yesterday and did not have the opportunity to train. There were also returns from injury, such as Mohammed Salisu, Denis Zakaria and Aleksandr Golovin. But in the end we can be proud of the work done to validate this success.

Coming back to Maghnes, does he have the level to play for the French team in your opinion?

He definitely has it, and for a long time! When we look at his last season, where he started to shine at home against Olympique de Marseille with a double, since then he has shown enormous progress. And he didn't stop!

He is an international level player, and we can be proud of him, because he is an example, just like Eliesse, with whom he is three years apart. Eliesse grew up with the U19s, then the Elite Group, before joining the pros. We'll see what's next for them.

In which area has Maghnes progressed the most?

When I arrived last season, I immediately saw that we were dealing with great talent. But when you have to confirm this potential, especially in this position of playmaker, you have to prove it in reality. And the facts are assists and goals!

In Clermont on the first day, he scored a first goal, before scoring his famous double against Marseille. Since that match, he has been fantastic, again recently in Strasbourg where he put in a remarkable performance. Like tonight, where he is clearly the man of the match!

How do you explain that the second period was less successful this evening?

I think we are guilty of this drop in momentum because we have the opportunity just before halftime to score the third. If we were leading 3-0, it would have been more difficult for the opponent to know how to play after the locker room. In the end we conceded this goal, because without the ball we were not proactive enough at that moment.

Then Brest is a team that plays in the Champions League, so that’s not forgiving. In the first half however, I was impressed with the way we pressed high up the pitch. Then we chased them too much, not practicing our style of play. But it's football, and we have to show respect for Brest's performance tonight.

What was your game plan?

The style of play sometimes also depends on the attitude you have without the ball. Besides, I am satisfied with the state of mind of my players on the second goal, in the preparation of the action, being very high in the Brest camp. Even George Ilenikhena's action on the third, I liked the way he projected himself and passed the ball to Maghnes.

These are fantastic gameplay sequences that I love. You always have to be ready to win the ball and put the opposing team under pressure, because they can make a mistake. And this is what Golo' exploited on his goal. I am also very happy that he was able to be decisive for the first time this season.

What do you expect against Benfica?

We cannot compare these two matches, it will be very different, already because it is another competition, with a strong opponent at European level. If we put this team under pressure, we are also capable of winning against Benfica. But for that, we will have to put in a much better performance than what we offered this evening.

Why did you decide to start Christian Mawissa?

Christian was coming off two very good performances in Bologna and Strasbourg, so I had no reason to change a satisfactory player. Caio will once again have the opportunity to show his qualities quickly. He knows what he has to do to get back on top. Other matches are coming very quickly and we will see him in action.