Jordan Teze: "Show that it's difficult to come and play in Monaco."
He ranks second in the Monégasque squad in playing time since the start of the season. Capable of playing on the right flank as well as filling in in midfield, Jordan Teze has showcased his versatility in recent weeks. It was therefore to discuss his performances and the importance of the match against Olympique Lyonnais this Saturday at the Stade Louis-II (5 PM) that the Dutchman spoke at a press conference, eager to start 2026 on a high. Excerpts 🎙️
On the team’s place in the table
We know we’re not where we should be. But that’s really our goal for the second part of the season, to get back in the race for the Champions League qualifying spots. We know what we need to improve in our game to achieve this, and especially what we need to avoid. We’ve played very well in the last few matches, even if the results haven’t always been there. But as soon as we string together a few wins again, it’s certain to happen, that we’ll move back up the table. Have we ever seen a season end after only 16 matchdays? No, there are still 18 left, so anything can happen.
On results in Ligue 1
The current run of form, particularly in the league, is not good; it doesn’t reflect our qualities or the status of a club like AS Monaco, which should be winning many matches. We must learn from this situation and do better, but I am confident that we will turn things around. A team with two faces? I don’t think so, because it’s not just against Paris Saint-Germain (a 1-0 win) that we’ve played well — we deserved the same in Marseille and in other matches. In any case, we need to play better and, above all, be more consistent, and that will come naturally.
On facing Lyon
We know that Lyon is a good team, and we mustn’t give them any opportunities to gain the upper hand. We need to be fully focused from the start, because we know that with their quality, if we’re not sharp from the outset, they can be dangerous. It’s going to be tough, because they finished 2025 strongly, but it’s up to us to disrupt their momentum. We’re playing at home, and we have to show that it’s difficult to come and play in Monaco! We have to go for the win, and I have confidence in the players who are available.
A sense of revenge?
Yes, absolutely! Especially when we’ve lost a lot of matches lately. There’s been a lot of criticism, and that’s normal when you’re on a losing streak. But that’s precisely why we need to show that it was just a rough patch and that we have more quality than the results suggest. Above all, we need to prove to people in this new year of 2026 what AS Monaco is truly capable of!
Playing a 4-4-2 diamond
Even though I wasn’t there against Auxerre (due to suspension), it’s a style of play that I like. What’s good about our team is that we’re tactically flexible; we can adapt quickly, even during the match. That’s a good thing, because we’re capable of playing in a 4-4-2, 4-3-3, or with three defenders, and therefore we can adapt to different situations.
« J’ai eu un message positif pour mes joueurs : continuer le travail entamé depuis plusieurs semaines.
Il y a beaucoup d’efforts qui sont réalisés dans l’ombre pour remettre l’équipe en phase avec les ambitions fixées »💬 Coach Pocognoli en conférence de presse avant #ASMOL pic.twitter.com/fnNqHdtJIp
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 2, 2026
His personal goals
I want to put pressure on myself in every position I can play on the field, whether it’s centrally, in midfield, at the back, or on the right. There are many positions I can play. The coach knows I can do better, because like me, he’s always striving for perfection, and the goal is always to aim higher and never be satisfied. There’s always something to improve. My future in midfield? (He thinks) That’s a good question, because I had already said… when I was in the Netherlands I enjoyed playing centrally. Ultimately, it all depends on the coach’s vision regarding my best position, because it doesn’t really matter to me; I know I can adapt, and the most important thing for me is to be on the pitch.
On his status in the dressing room
Second most used player in the squad? Yes, I think Maghnes (Akliouche) is first. It’s true that my role in the team has evolved a bit, even though I already spoke up quite a bit last season. So it’s not because I’m playing more that I’m going to change who I am. I’m still the same, although I’m happy to have played so much this season, because that was really my goal. Now I have to step it up! My message to my teammates before the Lyon match? Simply that we have to win this game, because we can’t afford to lose or draw. Every match we start, we must have the ambition to take all three points.
