The reactions of Embolo, Minamino and Singo after Red Star

Delighted to have made the difference after the break to win comfortably against Belgrade (5-1), the three AS Monaco players spoke in the mixed zone after the match.

A big smile was on all the Monegasque faces this Tuesday evening. Under the cosh in the first half then very effective in the second, the AS Monaco players finally savored a fine win against Red Star at the Stade Louis-II (5-1). It was a win which Breel Embolo, Takumi Minamino and Wilfried Singo each spoke to about with the media post-match. 🎙️

Good evening Breel. You made it easy for yourself in the second half to impose yourself…

Exactly! I think we started well, pressing very high from the start, even if we were surprised by their change of system. Despite everything, we had chances by winning balls. We ended up opening the scoring, which is what we wanted to do, even if the last defender made it hard for Taki’. Then it’s a shame, because we conceded the equalizer too easily, on an error in concentration.

We wanted to take nine. But given the content of  the last match in Zagreb, We have to admit that it's a good result in the end, with two great victories at home! Now we know that there are still a lot of points to go for, even if we're going to try to take advantage of this victory.

Breel EmboloOn the team's good start to the Champions League

We then struggled for 10-15 minutes, but the 2-1 goal did us some good before the break. Then in the second half we knew we had to be patient and well positioned between the lines. Finally the third goal freed us I think, because then we saw all our attacking qualities!

Seven points in three games, for an almost perfect start to the Champions League!

We wanted to take nine. But given the content of  the last match in Zagreb, We have to admit that it’s a good result in the end, with two great victories at home! Now we know that there are still a lot of points to go for, even if we’re going to try to take advantage of this victory.

Then there is a big match that awaits us on Sunday against Nice, but we have already shown that we know how to gain confidence to lead the two competitions at the same time. We will see with which team we will be able to go for another win.

Did you think your second goal was going to be disallowed?

At the time I received a great ball from Maghnes after a good run. Then it was 50-50, too bad for me that it wasn’t allowed. In any case, what I find important is the way we played, how we found ourselves in the game. We had a good match in terms of the attackers this week, and we knew we had to bring more.

Ce que l’on fait offensivement, ce n’est pas seulement le résultat du travail des attaquants. (...) Mais notre boulot c’est de marquer, et ce soir nous avons montré une belle efficacité, donc je suis content.

Breel EmboloA propos des attaquants

And I think the reaction was great from everyone, because we were able to create chances and score together. It’s certain that we take a lot of pleasure when things go well like that, and it’s up to us to go and get the second, the third…

What did you change to make the success come back?

It’s a team effort, we know that we have to attack and defend together, as a team. What we do offensively is not only the result of the work of the attackers. Sometimes we made beautiful constructed moves between the lines, but which did not necessarily result in shots or goals. But our job is to score, and tonight we showed great efficiency, so I’m happy.

Is your goal a relief tonight?

Huge! But it goes with the performance, because in the second half we saw that I was more relaxed, which allowed me to accelerate to get the chances that I like. It feels good, we are working every day for that! The team was able to hold on without goals scored by the attackers, and we know that we have a big margin offensively, but from now on we will try to perfectly combine attack and defense. Today in any case we had a lot of fun on the pitch.

Does Wilfried often score goals in training like the one tonight?

This season is the Club’s Centenary, and I told him that a goal like that won’t happen again for 100 years (laughs)! In any case, it’s a really nice goal. He had some difficulties against a good striker, but this goal to make it 3-1 did us a lot of good at that moment. Especially since we don’t see goals like that every day! It made the match easier for us, that’s for sure.

The reaction of Takumi Minamino

Good evening Takumi. Two goals, an MVP title, it’s a perfect night for you tonight…

Yes, I must admit that I’m very happy! But the most important thing is that we took the three points tonight. I’m very happy that I was able to help the team with my two goals. It’s special!

Tell us about your relationship with Breel Embolo!

I always have a good feeling when I play with him. He is a very strong player who manages to keep the ball well. He is capable of making assists and scoring goals, he is a pretty complete player.

That’s what I told him in the locker room, he gave me a real “gift”!

Takumi MinaminoOn Breel Embolo's assist

And I have to say that my preferred position is behind the striker, so I think we are quite complementary together. Maghnes and Eliesse? They bring something else, because they can eliminate opponents by dribbling, and create something. I like playing with them too.

It was Breel who gave you your second goal…

That’s what I told him in the locker room, he gave me a real “gift”!

Do you feel tired after this series of matches with the national team and with the club?

Yes, of course I feel a little tired after the match, but we now have five days to recover before our next match against Nice. So I’ll be able to rest and regain energy to be fresh this weekend for the Derby.

With 7 points in three games, you are getting closer to qualifying for the next round!

Before the match, I spoke about it with Golo’ and Zaki’, and we think that we need at least 10 points to get our place in the next round. So we are close to our objective, but there is still a way to go. Especially since we will have a difficult opponent in our trip to Bologna. So we have to keep working hard to achieve it.

Yes, especially since it is always an important match for me and for AS Monaco as a whole. They have a good team, but if we want to go as high as possible in the league, we have to beat this kind of opponent. So we have to prepare well to go for the victory.

It’s always a difficult opponent to play against, I repeat, especially since they are always more motivated against us. So I hope that history won’t repeat itself this time. I really want to win this match!

Takumi MinaminoOn the Derby

Last season, Nice stopped your early season streak. Are you worried that this could be the case this year?

I remember that match at home. It’s always a difficult opponent to play against, I repeat, especially since they are always more motivated against us. So I hope that history won’t repeat itself this time. I really want to win this match!

The reaction of Wilfried Singo

Good evening Wilfried. A quick word about your goal…

Honestly, I’m not used to scoring this kind of shot (smile)! But today it worked out for me, so I’m very happy, that’s all. At the time, Thilo gave me the ball, I controlled it and I saw that I was alone, so I tried my luck! I surprised myself, because I’m not used to it, so I was happy after the goal.

How did you experience your evening?

It was an incredible match for me, because the team worked well and made the necessary efforts. So I am very satisfied with this evening. It is true that I made a mistake on the penalty. It is football, but you have to know how to refocus quickly, and that is what I was able to do.

Honestly, we are a group that gets on well, and we want it to continue. My teammates' reaction to my goal? (Smile) They teased me a bit in the locker room! I was very happy once again, and we were all happy with the victory.

Wilfried SingoOn his goal

Is this a perfect start to the season for AS Monaco?

I don’t think so, even though it’s true that things are going very well at the moment. There are still a lot of games to go. In any case, I hope it will continue like this and that the team will continue on this streak.

What is the Club’s ambition now in the Champions League?

Very honestly, we’re going to take the matches one after the other and above all not get carried away! We’re going to do it step by step and see how the rest of this league phase goes.

Exactly. Every player gives the best of himself when he plays. Honestly, we are a group that gets on well, and we want it to continue. My teammates’ reaction to my goal? (Smile) They teased me a bit in the locker room! I was very happy once again, and we were all happy with the victory.