Ligue 1 Uber Eats 25 May 2023, 20:24

Breel Embolo: "It's up to us to show the character of the squad"

Just back from injury to play in the run-in, AS Monaco's second top scorer in Ligue 1 with 12 goals, spoke with the media 48 hours before the team's clash against Stade Rennais.

He has made his return to the pitches of Ligue 1. Absent due to an injury suffered in Ajaccio before the international break, Breel Embolo came off the bench in the last two games against Lille and Lyon. It’s a return that promises to be vital for the Club and their second-top scorer in the league, as AS Monaco travel to Rennes for a clash at the top of the table, which the Swiss striker spoke about pre-match with the media.🎙

Coming back from his injury

I am very happy to be back. There’s never a good time for an injury, but it’s true that it didn’t come at the right time. In any case, I have worked a lot in recent weeks to come back and help the team in these last four matches.

Playing Rennes is like a mini-final for us. We want to win against everyone, so it's up to us to show the character of the squad and get a positive result this weekend.

Breel EmboloOn the match in Rennes

It is always difficult to gauge a return, because it is not only my opinion that counts, but also that of the medical staff. Now that I’m back, I want to help the team, whether it’s for 30, 60 or 90 minutes. I didn’t come back to make up the numberß. But now the important thing is that I am healthy.

The objectives for the end of the season

We had a goal at the start, which was to finish as high as possible. We knew it would be very difficult to be champions and difficult to reach the European places. For a long time we were chasing the podium and at one point we let go a little mentally. Now there are two games left, and we have our destiny in our hands. It’s up to us to show that we are united and that we can beat anyone.

When you lose, there is always disappointment, frustration. Then what matters is what is in front of you. Saturday we have the opportunity to get people to work together and to save our season. There's no point in talking about Lyon anymore, we have to move forward and stay united, because if we play as individuals, we can't do anything.

Breel EmboloOn the need to look ahead

Mobilizing the squad

We are at AS Monaco, in a very big club with high ambitions and supporters behind us. You have to be aware of that. We have to show that we deserve to be here and to have our place. Because other teams have ambitions, we will therefore have to prove that we deserve to win in these last two matches. Playing Rennes is like a mini-final for us. We want to win against everyone, so it’s up to us to show the character of the squad and get a positive result this weekend.

A downturn away from home

In Lyon,I think we are started the match very well, we were playing well offensively. Unfortunately after the equalizer, we started to focus on the negatives. When you have this little setback, it can turn things around. We have to talk about it, work, and do as we did previously against Rennes where we suffered a red card at the very start of the match but where we did not give up. You have to have this mentality of scoring one goal more than the other team.

The team’s state of mind before facing Rennes

When you lose, there is always disappointment, frustration. Then what matters is what is in front of you. Saturday we have the opportunity to get people to work together and to save our season. There’s no point in talking about Lyon anymore, we have to move forward and stay united, because if we play as individuals, we can’t do anything.

We must focus above all on the defensive side of things, because we are going to a team which is in good form and who scores a lot. We know we can always score, whether it's Wissam, Kevin or me.

Breel EmboloApproaching the match against Rennes

Then you can lose, but you have to show a conquering state of mind. Once again, we have our destiny in our hands. We don’t want to give our opponent any chances. It’s up to us to have a positive end to the season.

His first goal in the reverse fixture

I’m not focused on the goal, because you also have to do work for the team. We must focus above all on the defensive side of things, because we are going to a team which is in good form and who scores a lot. We know we can always score, whether it’s Wissam, Kevin or me. But it’s true that with hindsight, this goal did me good in the reverse fixture, especially with it being ten against eleven.

The youth of the squad

I don’t think we’re short of leaders. All the players who are here have special qualities, otherwise they wouldn’t be at AS Monaco. It’s true that we have a young squad, which is still learning, but that’s the Club’s project. The responsibility belongs to everyone, it is not only the older players who must drive the team, everyone must play their part.

I am very happy here in Monaco. I immediately had the confidence of the managers, the staff and my teammates. I'm not satisfied with our sporting situation, that's for sure, but I want to do everything to ensure that we finish as high as possible in the table.

Breel EmboloOn his first season at the Club

His first season in Monaco

I’m still new here (smiles), I have three years left on my contract. I am very happy here in Monaco. I immediately had the confidence of the managers, the staff and my teammates. I’m not satisfied with our sporting situation, that’s for sure, but I want to do everything to ensure that we finish as high as possible in the table.

LIVE 🎙️ Conférence de presse avant Stade Rennais FC – AS Monaco 🔴⚪️ (37e journée de Ligue 1) https://t.co/lqccJNsAln

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) May 25, 2023