Denis Zakaria: "It's a privilege to be captain of AS Monaco"

The new captain of AS Monaco appeared before the media 48 hours before a visit from Lens this Sunday at the Stade Louis-II (3 p.m.), to discuss this match of the 3rd round of Ligue 1 McDonald's.

He has taken on a new dimension this season. Appointed captain of the Rouge et Blanc this summer by coach Adi Hütter, Swiss international Denis Zakaria took part in the press conference, two days before a visit from Lens to the Stade Louis-II (Sunday, 3 p.m.). The Monegasque number 6 spoke in particular about the desire to confirm a good start for AS Monaco in Ligue 1 🎙️

On his status as captain

It’s something quite big for me (smile)! It’s not every day that you can be captain of AS Monaco, so it’s a real privilege. I was one in youth at club level and with Switzerland, but I hadn’t been one yet as a pro. Now I have to speak even more and help my teammates around me.

He is a very good player, very dynamic on the pitch and someone who has great athletic qualities. He fills a lot of holes, and I think that we are quite complementary. It is a pleasure to play alongside him, it makes the task easier.

I was already doing it before, even without the armband, but I will do it even more now. The fact of being the one who speaks with the referees? I like talking to them when it’s to defend my teammates. You have to know how to be clear-headed in those moments, not to be emotional, and that’s something that can be learned. But I think it’s a positive thing.

On Lamine Camara

We saw soon after his arrival that Lamine is a very strong player and that he can help the team a lot. If I can advise him myself, I will do the best I can. I try to give him my experience on a tactical level, but also to make sure that he is free in his head to play his style of football. I want him to know that I am there for him.

He is a very good player, very dynamic on the pitch and someone who has great athletic qualities. He fills a lot of holes, and I think that we are quite complementary. It is a pleasure to play alongside him, it makes the task easier. But we also have very good players capable of playing in midfield.

On the Champions League draw

I think it was a good draw, but it’s always difficult to decide at the beginning. We’re still focused on league, because we have a very good Lens team coming to Monaco on Sunday (3pm), and we have to be ready for this match!

About the start of the season

I would say that we are in a certain continuity. There is a certain stability in the squad, and the new players who have arrived have integrated well. I think that it is easier to play well  when you know each other and there are already automatisms.

They are a very strong team, who show a lot of intensity on the pitch and have a high volume of play. On the wings they are quite strong, that is what we have identified. We know that their wide players are very dangerous. It is up to us to deliver a big match

Denis ZakariaOn Lens

The win in Barcelona, a key moment?

It was a friendly match, even if there was a trophy at stake, so we know that it’s never like a Champions League match. But it’s true that we were keen to play a very big match there, which we managed to do and win 3-0. This is definitely a very good result for our confidence.

His opinion on Lens

They are a very strong team, who show a lot of intensity on the pitch and have a high volume of play. On the wings they are quite strong, that is what we have identified. We know that their wide players are very dangerous. It is up to us to deliver a big match. We also have wide players who are having a very good start to the league season and who are helping us a lot on all levels.

As the coach said, I came back from my injury with little playing time in my legs in preseason. So I’m trying to get back into the rhythm little by little. I hope that against Lens, I’ll be even better than in previous matches.

It's hard to explain. It's certain that we're having a good start to the league season, with zero goals conceded in two games so far, so automatically we say that we're solid. We're going to try to continue like that!

Denis ZakariaOn the team's solidity to start the season

On Philipp Köhn

He is very professional! He is a high-quality player, and we know that in this goalkeeper position, it is never easy. He was patient and waited for his chance. He has helped us a lot since the beginning of the season. I hope that will continue for him. I have always appreciated him as a person. With time, we always improve.

On a more impermeable defense

It’s hard to explain. It’s certain that we’re having a good start to the league season, with zero goals conceded in two games so far, so automatically we say that we’re solid. We’re going to try to continue like that! The relationships help, but it’s obvious that this year, we want to concede fewer goals. It’s teamwork above all.

The diversity of profiles in attack

We have very, very high-quality players up front, without mentioning names, because we can name them all one by one! They can also play in several positions, which gives a lot of possibilities. It is a strength for us to be able to count on all these quality offensive players.

On Breel Embolo

It’s quite exceptional what he’s doing, coming back from his cruciate ligament injury and performing so quickly. Putting in performances like that is very strong! I would also like to congratulate him and thank him for what he gives for the team. He’s a very strong player physically, and I sincerely think that no one likes to play against him (smile).

Even technically he’s strong in deflections, in passing. We’re lucky to have him! He’s a team player, who is very versatile and who is there to help his teammates. It’s a quality that few players have. He thinks about the team before thinking about scoring.