Reactions of Akliouche, Ben Seghir, Embolo and Zakaria after Barça

After the prestigious victory against the Blaugrana (2-1), Maghnes, Eliesse, Breel and Denis stopped in the mixed zone to discuss their feelings with the journalists.

They had to be great and they were. Quickly with a man advantage, the Rouge et Blanc were able to show perseverance and character to win 2-1 in a sold-out Stade Louis-II. At the end of the match, Maghnes Akliouche, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Breel Embolo and Denis Zakaria spoke in the mixed zone. 🎙️

We were aware of the importance of this match played at home, in front of our supporters. It is always good to start with a victory in the Champions League. We are proud of ourselves but it is only one match. The next one will be important but we are happy tonight.

Maghnes AklioucheHis sense of the match

Hello Maghnes. After a double against Marseille last year, you were calm. Can we stay that way after a win against Barça?

We have to stay that way even if we are very happy with this victory. We were aware of the importance of this match played at home, in front of our supporters. It is always good to start with a victory in the Champions League. We are proud of ourselves but it is only one match. The next one will be important but we are happy tonight. So we will have to be consistent, it will be the hardest but we are capable of it.

We don’t think it’s a dream come true, do we?

Of course it’s a little dream to play in the Champions League and score against Barça, one of the best teams in the world. We just achieved it, we’re very happy. As a kid, I dreamed several times of scoring this goal by coming inside and then shooting with my left foot.

Today I was able to score it and I hope to score many more like it. The two goals and the communion all together with the fans are memorable moments for me. Personally, I had good pressure and I got chills when the anthem sounded. It was beautiful and something magical.

Despite your youth, you were able to remain patient…

We knew we were outnumbered. By having the ball and moving it around, we were going to have gaps in the opposing defense. We were able to remain patient to score this second goal. He told us to continue in this dynamic and to continue pushing without rushing. That’s what helped us manage the match well.

Do you feel like you had a great match?

I did what was necessary even if there is always room for improvement. I was able to contribute to the team by doing some great things. Now I would like to watch the video again to see what we can still improve. I am happy with myself and the team in general. I am trying to improve on the consistency during a game since I have been often criticized for disappearing in matches. That is what I did not want to do tonight.

Did you win something with this victory?

I think there is a reward, I would have to find out. But no, we are happy for the fans and us. This victory at home is something magical. There will be other Champions League matches and we will have to do the same.

Does this Champions League mark a turning point in your career?

Of course it is a turning point because it is the most famous and prestigious competition with all these great players who have played it. It is something important and all the young players in the squad are aware of it. We know that we have to be good in this competition but also in the league.

For many, it was our first Champions League match. Winning it against Barcelona is something incredible. I think we can do great things but we are not going to get carried away, there are seven games left. We must try to be even better and to step up our game to go as far as possible, we do not set ourselves any limits.

Eliesse Ben SeghirA dream start to the UCL

The reaction of Eliesse Ben Seghir

Good evening Eliesse. Is this a dream start in this competition after this prestigious victory?

We can say that indeed. For many, it was our first Champions League match. Winning it against Barcelona is something incredible. I think we can do great things but we are not going to get carried away, there are seven games left. We must try to be even better and to step up our game to go as far as possible, we do not set ourselves any limits.

What was the atmosphere in the locker room after the match?

It was a party but we remain focused because there are still many matches to play. This match against Le Havre this weekend is also important because we are not neglecting the league. We will celebrate tonight but we will move on to something else tomorrow.

Tonight, it seems like you didn’t feel any pressure?

Of course, it was incredible when we saw the atmosphere around this match and in the stadium. For my part and like many of my teammates, we don’t worry once the whistle is blown. We know our style of football, we give it our all and it goes by itself.

In general, we are a team with a lot of confidence. We know our strength of character, we knew that we would bounce back after the equalizer. Seeing the stadium so full and hearing all our fans screaming and singing was a lot of emotions, I was very happy to experience that at the end.

With Maghnes, did you expect this as a turning point in this competition?

He and I play without pressure. We don’t feel this expectation around us, we play freely and we perform well. It pleases any attacker and attacking midfielder to make the difference and eliminate his direct opposite number. But we remain clear-headed and we are playing for the team.

What was the coach’s idea to bring Golovin on at half-time?

Lamine had received a yellow card and it’s complicated for a midfielder to defend well with a card. Offensively, we know Golo’s touch and his ability to put good balls in front of us so that we are more dangerous.

How do you feel physically with the Games played this summer?

I feel good because the staff takes very good care of me so that I can perform well in each match without feeling tired. There is also management around me and that is what allows me to be even better.

In the moment, we are working well and we are on a good run. Today, I think we created several chances, we pressed high and that forced them to make mistakes. The negative point is that we did not manage to kill the match before the equalizer, I am included in that. It would have made everyone's evening easier but the state of mind is positive, everyone is happy.

Breel EmboloOn the team's mood

Breel Embolo’s reaction

Good evening Breel. Maghnes told us about a reward without telling us what it was. What did you negotiate after this success?

(Laughs). The captains tried to scrape together a small bonus for the team and the staff but that only comes through victory. At the moment, we are working well and we are on a good run. Today, I think we created several chances, we pressed high and that forced them to make mistakes. The negative point is that we did not manage to kill the match before the equalizer, I am included in that. It would have made everyone’s evening easier but the state of mind is positive, everyone is happy.

How do you explain this lack of offensive success?

It’s true that we created a lot of chances but the most important thing is to play well. I was in my game during the first 30 minutes and I needed a goal to be completely satisfied as a striker. The way we played was almost perfect. In recent games, we have defended well while creating chances. It’s up to us to find this bit of luck to really get the season off to a good start and make the defenders’ job easier.

How was George in the dressing room after that first goal?

We are all happy with his goal but it is a habit for him to score against Barça because he did the same last season with Antwerp. He’s a great guy, he made a superb appearance off the bench just like Balo’ who was very close to getting a penalty. As he had against Auxerre, where he also did this. It was deserved and these are three important points.

Tell us about the performances of Eliesse and Maghnes.

The little Pokémon are really in form (smile). They are strong and personally at their age, I was not in Monaco playing against a team like Barça. It is hard work, but they are attentive and have great talent. So I am very happy for them and for the team because we have had a very good start to the season. There were also many players for whom it was their first time in the competition.

It's the Club's Centenary in a sold-out match against Barça, it doesn't happen every day. We're going to enjoy it, it's just the beginning in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, we mustn't forget that. It's up to us to continue working like this and to achieve all our goals.

Breel EmboloThe greatest victory in your career?

I told them to enjoy and believe in their qualities. We try to give confidence to all these young people and make them understand that they must always play together. Today, Golo’ started on the bench like George, Balo’, Jordan or Christian. They are all quality players who work hard, it shows the standing and ambition of the Club. We are very happy to have a squad like this.

Where do you rank this victory against Barça. Is it the best?

It’s a pleasure. It’s the Club’s Centenary in a sold-out match against Barça, it doesn’t happen every day. We’re going to enjoy it, it’s just the beginning in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, we mustn’t forget that. It’s up to us to continue working like this and to achieve all our goals.

Honestly, it’s a source of pride and we’re happy, that’s what we wanted. There are still a lot of league and Champions League games to play. We’re focusing on what’s next now. I don’t think we can call it a feat because that’s what we wanted to do from the beginning.

Denis ZakariaOn the joy of beating Barça

The reaction of Denis Zakaria

Good evening Denis. What is your state of mind after this great success?

I am very happy with these three points, it is the start we wanted. We are now focusing on the league. We played a great game even if we could have killed the match by being more efficient in front of goal.

How does it feel to beat Barça?

Honestly, it’s a source of pride and we’re happy, that’s what we wanted. There are still a lot of league and Champions League games to play. We’re focusing on what’s next now. I don’t think we can call it a feat because that’s what we wanted to do from the beginning. It’s a very good game and a good basis for this season.

Against Barcelona, ​​you have to be and be at your best for the 90 minutes otherwise they’re the ones with the ball. I did what the coach asked me to do and do my best with Lamine. With 10 against 11, it’s true that it was a little easier but we won and we’re focusing on what’s next.