Adi Hütter: "We are here in London to show our style of play"

On the eve of the Champions League Matchday 6 game against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium (9 p.m.), the Monaco manager spoke with the press.

This is one of the matches of the season. In the final stretch of 2024, the Rouge et Blanc are preparing for a very big encounter against the Gunners this Wednesday evening in London (kick-off 9 p.m.). So before this match of the 6th matchday of the Champions League, Adi Hütter discussed the stakes of the match and the team’s form with the media.🎙️

On the stakes of the march

First of all, it is certain that this is an important match for both teams. For now, looking at the table, We are virtually qualified, but our mutual objective is to qualify for the top 8, even if our duel will be one in and of itself. But tomorrow we will face one of the best teams in Europe at the moment.

They are very strong on set pieces, it's a real weapon for them, that's obvious. They train a lot for that, but we have an idea of ​​how we should defend in these phases.

It will be a very big game for us, but we are here in London to show our style of play, our brand of committed football. It is also difficult to face us, and we will be on the lookout for any opportunity they can give us. We do not only want to be a good opponent, but to try to bring something back from here.

On set pieces

Our preparation for this match was necessarily more advanced than for a classic Ligue 1 match, that’s for sure, because Arsenal are a top team! They are very strong on set pieces, it’s a real weapon for them, that’s obvious. They train a lot for that, but we have an idea of ​​how we should defend in these phases. And then we can also be a threat to them in this area, because that’s also something that’s an area of strength for us.

In any case, we will have to defend very well tomorrow, be very attentive and not make stupid mistakes to give them chances ar on free kicks for example. But I repeat, we have a clear idea of ​​what we want to do and we will try to implement it.

About tactical preparation

When you play in two or three competitions, like us with the Champions League, you don’t have much time to prepare for matches tactically. On the other hand, it’s always good to prepare for those famous set pieces.

We have a very good mix in our squad between these more experienced players and our young talents. Facing Arsenal in this competition is obviously new for them, but it is also a good test for them, to see if they are capable of imposing their style of football.

And when you see the number of goals we score our key players, I’m really satisfied. Whether it’s defensively or offensively. Once again, we’re going to try to be a threat to them in this way. They really have some great ideas in this area, so we’ll see what we can do against them.

On the progression of Lamine Camara

This is an example of the success of our recruitment unit. We also have very good young players from our Academy, particularly in the Elite Group, where we are taking care to develop them. But Lamine is a young talent in the making, like Christian Mawissa. He was relegated with Metz but had a very good season last year.

He had a very good start with us, then had some difficulties afterwards. It’s normal, because he comes from a team that was fighting for survival, but we are very happy with his progress since then. Overall, his first half of the season gives us a lot of satisfaction.

On the importance of these matches for the team’s development

We have with us Thilo (Kehrer) and Mohammed (Salisu), who know the Premier League well, as does Takumi Minamino. But we also have two Brazilian fullbacks, Aleksandr Golovin who are experienced players. We also have a very good mix in our squad between these more experienced players and our young talents.

As for Denis, who felt some pain during the warm-up before facing Toulouse, we do not want to take any risks with him. Denis is our captain and he is clearly the starter in defensive midfield, but we are also very satisfied with Soungoutou's progress. He will be ready to play tomorrow

Playing Arsenal in this competition is obviously new for them, but it is also a good test for them, to see if they are capable of imposing their style of football. I want to see a team that plays courageous football. We will inevitably have to suffer, because Arsenal are a fantastic team, very well organised with and without the ball. We have prepared well for this, and we will see if it will be followed by chances. And we will once again try to be a threat to them.

On Soungoutou Magassa

As for Denis, who felt some pain during the warm-up before facing Toulouse, we do not want to take any risks with him. Denis is our captain and he is clearly the starter in defensive midfield, but we are also very satisfied with Soungoutou’s progress. He will be ready to play tomorrow, even if we have reduced the risks, but he trained yesterday and today without any problems and he will be available tomorrow.