Benoît Badiashile: "It was important to obtain a clean sheet for our confidence"
Staying top of Group B. That was the goal for Niko Kovac’s side on Thursday night against PSV Eindhoven (0-0) at the Stade Louis-II. It was job done by the Rouge et Blanc, who had to settle for one point, after a very “tactical” match, in the words of the Monegasque manager. This is also how Benoît Badiashile felt, who spoke with the media after the match.
Good evening Benoît. What do you think of tonight’s performance?
We are still leaders of our group in this Europa League, that’s what we must remember. We know that our performance was not very good, but we will also look at the fact that we did not concede a goal. There are days when things are fine and others when you are a little less able to play your style of football. But at the end of the day you always have to remember the positives, and tonight we are still top.
We imagine that it is actually quite satisfying for a defender to get a clean sheet …
Certainly in my position, finishing a game with a clean sheet is important in gaining confidence. We will retain that as being essential. It’s good for the whole defense, for Alex and for us.
𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿.
🎬 Épisode retour ‣ #UEL pic.twitter.com/2eruzwyhbW
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) November 4, 2021
Was there a little apprehension about what was at stake in the meeting?
Maybe there was a bit of restraint, because it was an important match. That’s the difference between the first and the second half, and we saw it on the pitch. We didn’t show the same side of our game at all. We put in more effort in coming back from the locker room. It’s possible that the stakes got the better of us, because we really wanted to beat our opponent tonight.
You’ve conceded a few chances on set pieces. Is this an aspect of the game you are working on?
Of course, we often work set pieces with video. We try to dissect the tendencies of the opponent in these phases of the game. You have to know how to adapt, because sometimes the difference is made in these kinds of actions. We know we have to work on this to improve even further in our next matches.
The forwards had very few opportunities tonight…
They weren’t getting much service, that’s true, as it was a pretty tactical game, rather closed. But I don’t worry about them. Myron scored in the reverse fixture, he’s going to show the extent of his talent in the next few games, I’m sure.
It’s more European experience for this young team…
European matches make every player grow, starting with us young players. We have already played four group matches in this Europa League, eight in total this season, so that’s more experience for the future.
You were selected again with the French U-21 team today. What does it mean to you to play for France?
It is a great point of pride every time to be selected for the U21s. I will give everything in these two games for my country, because it is an opportunity and an honor to be able to play for the national team.
