Adi Hütter: “Do what is necessary to win at home”
It’s a chance to finally taste victory again in the Principality. This is the objective for this week per coach Adi Hütter, after a fourth win in a row away from home against Metz last weekend (2-5). It is therefore with the desire to show a conquering side against Stade Rennais this Sunday (kick-off 5:05 p.m.), that the Monegasque coach spoke to the media pre-match.🎙️
On a “mad month” of April
It’s true that we have a big run of matches ahead of us, starting with Rennes this weekend. They’re a very strong team on paper, which is fighting like us for European places. They had a very good match in the Coupe de France against Paris on Wednesday, and did not come far from reaching the final. We are entering decisive weeks for us, but I think we are well prepared for this sequence.
Le programme du mois d'avril pour nos Monégasques 🗓️
Quel match attendez-vous le plus ? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eprzAbpsTx
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 1, 2024
On Stade Rennais
Once again, this team has a lot of players capable of changing the face of a match, in addition to being able to rely on several different attacking systems. They defend well, whether in midfield or lower, and are very good on the counterattack and even from set pieces, so we know it will be a very difficult match.
On the style of play
I expect a Rennes team which will not necessarily press us high. They will certainly defend in midfield, but you will have to be careful in transition because I repeat, because they have very fast and intelligent players. In any case, I will always advocate attacking football, because I don’t like boring matches.
I prefer to take risks and win 5-2 rather than see a bad 1-0. I like the idea of developing inspiring football, something that’s attractive. And I can tell you that it is not easy to play AS Monaco at the moment.
About the gap in the table
I believe that Stade Rennais have been the second best team since January in Ligue 1, so on this point they are better than us. On the other hand, ten points separate us today, and we have the opportunity to definitely widen the gap.
We know on the contrary that our results at home have not been satisfactory recently, even if we have performed well against Paris and even Lorient.So it is certain that Sunday will be a very important match for us. Our goal is to keep this gap in the rankings and maintain the pressure on our other competitors.
On getting players back from injury
The choices have sometimes been guided by injuries in recent months. But in recent weeks, we have been recovering a lot of players, since Caio Henrique will also resume training with the group next week.
That leaves only Guillermo Maripán out, who should resume playing within two or three weeks. It’s obvious that this shows the level of the daily sessions. We are happy to have everyone available, and this will be crucial in view of the final sprint.
The returns of Embolo and Camara
It is a possibility that Breel plays a few minutes this weekend. It will depend on the situation, the match scenario and the elements we will need in this match. But he is getting closer and closer to having his first minutes in Ligue 1.
Regarding Mo’, he’s been out for the last few weeks, so he’s on his way back. He’s a great guy who brings his joie de vivre to the group. His return does us good, he has been already training with us since the start of the week, but he has now participated in all of the sessions since Thursday. He will be able to help us at the end of the season.
Focus sur Mo' Camara à l'entraînement ⌛️ pic.twitter.com/pAxYmjFeru
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 4, 2024
About the defensive system
For us today it is better to play with four at the back, but as I have already explained, we are flexible and have the possibility to change depending on the opponent. It’s true that there are a lot more possibilities than in previous weeks, apart from the fact that certain players like Golovin and Zakaria can play in several positions.
The possibilities at the offensive level
We have to be ready in both penalty areas. When you see the danger that we created in the first 20 minutes in Metz, It’s retain to keep that, but at both ends, both offensively and defensively. But it’s certainly comforting to have so many choices in attack when you’re a coach.
About 2nd place
I agree that we are among the favorites, even if we have dropped too many easy points this season, especially at home. Other teams believe, like us, that they could have had a better season.
We should certainly have 7 or 8 points more today and be bothering Paris Saint-Germain more. But I must admit that Ligue 1 therefore retains interest at all levels! There will be a very good battle for the European places, as well as for survival.
Home and away splits
There is no single reason to explain this. Sometimes we were guilty of easy mistakes, which cost us points, notably against Lorient. Against Lyon and Reims at home, we also created a lot of chances, without being rewarded at the end. Maybe we prefer teams that close the game down less, like us. But it is our responsibility to do what is necessary to assert ourselves more at home against those who play in a low block.
La prépa' pour la réception du @staderennais continue 👊
🔜 #ASMSRFC pic.twitter.com/UuHvqgyvD2
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 3, 2024
