The reactions of Ben Seghir, Ilenikhena and Kehrer after a crazy win in Alsace

Delighted with the outcome of the match against Strasbourg (1-3), which they managed to turn it around in the last quarter of an hour, the two scorers and the Monaco captain spoke in the mixed zone after the match.

Another stunning success and again at the end of the match! After having made the difference in the last seconds in the Champions League against Bologna (0-1), the players of AS Monaco found the resources for time to beat Racing on the road (a 1-3 win). A crazy win and it was what Eliesse Ben Seghir, George Ilenikhena and Thilo Kehrer spoke about in front of the media. 🎙️

Good evening Eliesse. How do you explain this change in the team’s play in the second half?

We still managed to create chances that we unfortunately couldn’t convert in the first half. This put us in difficulty, and we were punished, as sometimes happens in football.

It’s true that it’s sometimes good to have this speech from experienced players, especially since my first half wasn’t as good as I’d hoped. The Strasbourg players managed to limit me well. Thilo and my other teammates were able to find the words to remotivate me, with a lot of kindness.

Eliesse Ben SeghirOn the words of Thilo Kehrer at halftime

Despite everything, we came back with better intentions, even if there was no goal at the start. But we knew that we would be able to unlock the match at some point, and that’s what we did! So we are very happy.

We saw Thilo Kehrer talking to you a lot at half-time to encourage you…

It’s true that it’s sometimes good to have this speech from experienced players, especially since my first half wasn’t as good as I’d hoped. The Strasbourg players managed to limit me well. Thilo and my other teammates were able to find the words to remotivate me, with a lot of kindness. Which means that I came back in the second half with better intentions.

It’s youth that makes the difference tonight, with your double and George’s goal!

I’ve always said it since the start of the season, we have great depth on the bench that does us a lot of good! It allowed us to win the match today, so we’re very happy. This team is very young, but we have confidence in ourselves, that’s what this generation is about. It allowed us to win.

Were you surprised by Strasbourg’s play?

Not really, because we studied it well before the match. They are also a very young team, so we expected a difficult match, but maybe not so difficult. Despite everything, we respected them, and tried to be the best possible in the second half, and in the end we won this match.

Alsace suits you, it’s already your third against Racing…

Yes it’s true, I scored there last season (he smiles) ! I’m very happy, and I hope I can play as much as possible in this stadium, but in any case I’m very happy to have been able to win this match.

What trouble you with this team?

We knew that one of their strengths was knowing how to play well between the lines. That caused us problems, but we were able to rectify the situation in the second half, when they had more trouble finding their way. That allowed us to recover balls and play faster forward, which worked for us.

We have a very strong character despite the youth of our squad, we were able to show it and that's what made us win!

Eliesse Ben SeghirOn the squad's spirit

After the two defeats in a row in Ligue 1, were there doubts at half-time?

It’s true that we had a moment of doubt in the first half, because we couldn’t convert our chances and on the contrary we were punished. But we have a very strong character despite the youth of our squad, we were able to show it and that’s what made us win!

The reaction of George Ilenikhena

Good evening George. What do you remember from this crazy match?

At the beginning, it was difficult for us because we dominated, and besides we were losing 1-0 at half-time. This gave rise to changes at half-time, and to a change in the team’s mentality in the second half to turn the match around and go for an important victory.

What did the coach ask of the youngsters exactly?

We had to put more energy into coming back from the locker room, after a somewhat frustrating first half. That’s what we did with our teammates to get these three points. AS Monaco is a club that trusts youngsters, regardless of age, and we saw that with our substitutes with Christian (Mawissa).

We were able to help the team as much as possible and change the scenario of the match. But I won’t forget to thank the more experienced players, Zak’, Breel and Thilo in particular, who bring us a lot.

Tell us about your goal!

On a high press, I understood the movement well on a missed pass from the opponent. He lacked control, I anticipated it and took advantage to steal the ball from him and went on alone to the goal. Then I finished the chance, which is my strength.

I like both (smiles)! But since I'm a goalscorer, I'll say my goal. Afterwards, I admit that I feel the shot well on the second one with my teammates behind me, and it hits the target so that's all the better.

George IlenikhenaOn his run and his goal

Do you prefer your goal or your skill to Eliesse’s?

I like both (smiles)! But since I’m a goalscorer, I’ll say my goal. Afterwards, I admit that I feel the shot well on the second one with my teammates behind me, and it hits the target so that’s all the better. When I make the run at the first post, I saw that there were people in behind and I feel that if I take the ball, it’s risky. So I left it and it paid off.

This is the second game that was snatched in the last seconds. Where do you find these resources?

We have a very strong mental strength in our team, which means that in every situation we stay calm. We are focused until the end to try to win, and it works. We were able to turn the tide thanks to this mentality.

It was difficult for me for a while, but I didn't give up and I kept working in training. The staff always kept me confident, which is why I was able to score again today.

George IlenikhenaOn returning from playing against

You’re having a very good start to the season. What can you do better?

We’re going to try to keep this momentum going and try to win every game. We’re tackling each game one after the other. We’re working every day with the staff to do that, and so far it’s going very well.

How are you experiencing the post-Barcelona period?

It was difficult for me for a while, but I didn’t give up and I kept working in training. The staff always kept me confident, which is why I was able to score again today.

The reaction of Thilo Kehrer

Good evening Thilo. What is the dominant feeling after this stunning victory?

We are especially happy to have shown our character! Not everything was perfect, we obviously know that we can improve on many aspects, even if we were in a good mentality. We have the feeling that we could do better, especially in terms of finishing and efficiency on our chances.

Then we concede a goal that we must avoid! But it is the reaction that counts, the fact of staying in the match and believing in the victory and in the strength of the team. Even those who do not start the match!

We saw you talking to Eliesse at half-time to get him going again…

I thought about whether I was going to yell at him or encourage him (smile). But I know that when you’re not necessarily doing well in your game, there’s no point in getting beaten up. That’s why I chose to give him some advice and encourage him. I told him to play smarter, because he often likes to dribble, play one-on-one and his opponents know that, so they play hard with him, and go hard in the duel.

I don't know exactly where it comes from, but we have a good state of mind. And in the moments that count in a match, that's when you have to show character, desire, and personality to get the result, score the goal or win the duel.

Thilo KehrerOn the squad's strength of character

He knows it well, but as he is young, there are times when he needs to mature. But I am very happy with his second half, because he showed some great things! When he is confident, he is a very, very strong player, and we are very happy to have him with us.

It’s thanks to you that he scored twice!

(He smiles) No no! It’s thanks to himself, to his qualities and his mentality. Because it would be very easy to drip your head and be angry, but no, he hung on, and that’s why he’s decisive.

Where do these resources come from to turn games around at the end of the match?

I don’t know exactly where it comes from, but we have a good state of mind. And in the moments that count in a match, that’s when you have to show character, desire, and personality to get the result, score the goal or win the duel.

All the youngsters do a good job and have the right mentality. If they ask for advice? It happens naturally, sometimes they come to us, and sometimes we feel that we have to go to them.

It’s the little details that can change a match. And we’re showing it more and more! a desire to react after Angers? Anyone can have a bad match, we know that. We had to react and we did!

What can you tell us about the contribution of the young players?

Christian Mawissa made a great entrance. George Ilenikhena was also decisive and brought great power in his duels. He knew how to keep the ball and make deep calls. All the youngsters do a good job and have the right mentality. If they ask for advice? It happens naturally, sometimes they come to us, and sometimes we feel that we have to go to them.