Rennes - Monaco : key quotes from press conference

Regarder

To play this video, you must accept Youtube cookies

I accept

Habib Beye

The squad
Nordan Mukiele is back, he’s feeling good, and we’ll give ourselves until Friday to see whether he’s fit to rejoin the squad. Seko felt something, so we’ll see how he recovers. Some players had long trips, especially Alidu with an eight-hour time difference — he resumed with a light run. The whole squad is basically available, and we can count on Abdelhamid’s return from suspension.”

The international break
“It’s always good to recover, keeping in mind that those who left with their national teams didn’t really get time off. We were able to analyse this run of matches, with positives and negatives. Our momentum is good for confidence, and we need to keep going while maintaining the right ingredients. What matters is staying in the same mindset, even though our two recent wins came in very different scenarios.”

Integrating Academy players during the break
“We enjoy being able to train with 18 to 20 players, so bringing them in is logical. They’re obviously not all ready to play, but we want to give them perspective — to let them see the level they’ll have to face, to understand the intensity and the quality required. In their development toward top-level football, this should be beneficial.”

International players
“We monitor everything during these windows — game time, travel, and so on. I’m thinking of Alidu, who played a lot against Japan and South Korea, and less with us — we have to be careful. As for playing time, I don’t interfere with national team coaches, that’s not my role. When the players return, our video-data department prepares clips for each one to highlight and analyse their performances.”

A strong group
“Competition also builds with absences and suspensions. We made two changes with Anthony and Quentin against Paris FC — they performed well, which is great for keeping everyone competitive. Ludo came on, Breel too, and he scored. The players who finish games all have an opportunity to show they deserve to start the next one. That gives us options for Saturday against a very good team.”

Facing a strong opponent
“I told the players that we need to approach this match in a mindset of continuity. It’s another ‘big team’ coming in, and we’ve shown we can play these matches well — I’m thinking of Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg. We need to continue making Roazhon Park a fortress. I believe rewards come at the final matchday of the season.”

The opponent
“Watching back the matches they didn’t win, they faced unfavourable situations. Against Lens, there’s that chance for Golovin, then Balogun’s red card… Monaco also has players returning and they’ve had to deal with absences — very important players who couldn’t start, like Camara, Zakaria, Dier or Vanderson.”

Pressing and Imbalance

“In terms of ratios, we are the second-best team in the league when it comes to pressing inside the opponent’s 5.5-metre area. For example, Strasbourg, a very competitive team, didn’t manage to get the ball past the halfway line once on seven build-ups. What we do high up the pitch can also create difficulties behind us — we press more than Lens, for instance. We must continue to show personality when playing out from the back; we also have a very good goalkeeper.”

The Defensive Axis

“Anthony was very good against PFC, and Lilian brings us a lot with his left foot. I’m lucky to have 5 or 6 players who can play in those positions. Jérémy Jacquet? Jérémy’s strength is his fearlessness, but that’s also an area where he needs to improve — he can’t always rely on that. He’s destined to go very far. The decision to play him in the centre is linked to his qualities: his speed and his passing. I pushed him on his level of aggressiveness because at times he lacked defensive intensity. I’d also say Abdelhamid has a positive influence on him. They’re similar profiles but with different perceptions of the position. Abdelhamid is very aggressive; Jérémy has raised that level, and he’s been a real leader in recent matches.”

Ludovic Blas’ Role

“I spoke with Ludo face-to-face. We had a conversation — it’s not an easy situation to experience. He’s an impact player who showed his qualities against PFC. The goal also came from his action; he gave the team a positive spark, and he must keep working because in every match he can help us become a better team.”

Breel Embolo’s Efficiency

“In the press conference, he said he sees himself as a support, as an older brother to Kader. He came into the match and finished off the work that Kader had started. In our positive scenarios, they are capable of working well together. There’s also something very positive happening among our three forwards. I see it in our celebrations too. On Breel’s goal, you see Kader running off the bench, and Estéban’s joy.”

Brice Samba’s Leadership

“Brice has a strong personality; he is a top-level goalkeeper. I ask him to be very present in our playing structure, to be dynamic in our build-up play, to scan what’s happening in front of him. He’s not a difficult player to manage — I appreciate the fact he has a strong personality. He’s very easy to coach and essential for the group. His performances also give him legitimacy.”

Paul Pogba’s Potential Return with Monaco

“I’m very happy he’s coming back — I’m a fan of the player he is. I love him for what he does; I will never speak of him in the past tense. It’s great for Ligue 1 to see him return to the squad and to the pitch. I’m very happy he’s able to play again — he loves the game and football, and for the football lover in me, it’s a joy to see him back.”

Rugby at Roazhon Park

“I discovered the rugby atmosphere and the respect for the kicker, with that cathedral-like silence (smiles). I was worried about the pitch when I saw the scrums and rucks with size-27 studs (laughs). Our groundskeepers work every day to make sure the pitch is in the best possible condition, and we should have a beautiful surface on Saturday. The Bretons had a great evening — it was a beautiful moment. I also saw that the club lent the first team’s bus to an R3 club, and I think that’s a wonderful gesture. All of this helps to highlight Stade Rennais, the region, and the local community.”

Brice Samba

 

Mindset

“After two wins, there are more smiles, more enthusiasm — it’s what we’ve wanted since the start of the season. Two good victories, earned in different ways, and that’s great for the group.”

Momentum

“We work very hard every day. Things went our way against Strasbourg with Estéban having a great day. These wins are the result of hard work. We’re training well, everyone is attentive — it’s a collective effort. The coach has put in place a strong pressing structure, and we’ve also been solid for two matches. It’s promising; everyone in the squad is competitive, and we all make sure things go well.”

Jérémy Jacquet and Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal

“They are two very talented young players who will go very far — I wish it for them. Each has his own qualities: Jérémy has great ease on the ball and in duels, while Aït is combative and very good at bringing the ball out. They complement each other and give us a solid defensive foundation.”

Les Bleus

“Obviously, there’s the World Cup objective. Last season, the first 3–4 matches were difficult with Rennes. With Lens, I was among the top three goalkeepers in the league, I think. I’m keeping that momentum, season after season, thank God. I’m trying to be as efficient as possible and I want to help Rennes aim high. For the national team, I want to serve the group. If the coach calls me, I’ll be very happy. I want to be part of this squad and I can’t afford to let up.”

Son côté râleur

“I’m 31 (laughs), but it’s true that it’s never too late to improve in that area. I try not to talk too much, I want to be as fair as possible when I speak in the dressing room, to bring my experience and help the younger players as well. The most important thing is to be efficient and help my team win.”

Paul Pogba

“I know Paul very well, we were at the Academy together. He’s a hard worker, and I’m very saddened by what happened to him. I’m not with him at Monaco, so I don’t know how his body is reacting. But I know he won’t give up, that’s his mentality. I hope to see him on Saturday—while also hoping he’s not too in form (smiles). All I can do is wish him the best and hope he gets back to his top level… after Saturday (laughs).”