French Cup 18 January 2024, 15:14

Folarin Balogun: “Rediscover the intensity that made us strong”

Before the match which will see the Principality club and Rodez face each other this Saturday (kick-off 5:30 p.m.), as part of the Round of 32 of the Coupe de France, the American striker spoke with the media for the traditional press conference.

After winning away to RC Lens in the last round, following a lengthy penalty shootout (2-2, 5-6 penalties), Adi Hütter‘s team is getting ready to face Rodez this Saturday in the Coupe de France Round of 32 (17:30). Before this trip, striker Folarin Balogun spoke in a press conference, where he expressed the team’s desire to react to the loss to Reims. 🎙

The loss to Stade de Reims

Collectively, it was difficult. We lacked concentration and we are aware of it. Stade de Reims are a good team, and they were clinical in front of goal. This defeat is an opportunity to learn, so we will remember the mistakes and correct them to move forward. This is also what the coach told us this week. He told us to pick our heads up, and prepare well for the match against Rodez.

We have respect for our opponent. It will be a difficult match against Rodez, against whom we will have to rediscover the intensity which made us strong, and which we did not have against Reims.

Folarin BalogunOn facing Rodez

Last season against Rodez

I don’t necessarily talk about this match with others. I am starting to understand the importance of Coupe de France matches, where small teams sometimes eliminate big teams. We have respect for our opponent. It will be a difficult match against Rodez, against whom we will have to rediscover the intensity which made us strong, and which we did not have against Reims.

The last few weeks

It’s a bit tough for me at the moment. I need to play more simply, and help the team in a different way. But overall, I have no doubts, all I want is to bring something to the team. I know I have plenty of time in my career to score goals, so I don’t focus too much on it.

I know I’m going to have chances, I’m not worried, it makes me stronger, and I know I’m going to find the net. Many players have experienced this, and I think this is an opportunity to get out of it on my own.

The Monegasque style of play

We have our own way of playing, with several ways of approaching our matches. It’s something different from what I experienced last season, we build more from the back. We are one of the best teams in the leagues, and everyone is looking to beat us, so our opponents set up in a way that’s more compact.

3, 2, 1… @balogun 🚀 pic.twitter.com/5cVJLHMmaN

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) October 9, 2023

On Radoslaw Majecki

Radeck is a very good person, a very professional guy. He tries to help the team whenever he gets the chance, and he demonstrated all his qualities during the penalty shootout in Lens. We are very happy for him, and the Coupe de France is an opportunity for him to show himself. After this fantastic match, everyone was able to see his level, and now he must continue like this.

He is a very good player, who helps us enormously thanks to his qualities, both physical and mental. When he is not present, we feel it.

Folarin BalogunOn Denis Zakaria

Inspiration from Wissam Ben Yedder

Wissam has enormous qualities, just like I have mine. Then, it’s up to the coach to decide who should play, or if we should play together. He is a fantastic player who teaches me a lot, his success in front of goal does not affect me in any way. At the moment it’s more difficult for me, but I’m not focused on it, and I’m inspired by him to progress as much as possible.

On Denis Zakaria

He is a very good player, who helps us enormously thanks to his qualities, both physical and mental. When he is not present, we feel it. He brings us a lot with his state of mind, and we can also count on the other players around us, who help us in different ways.