Sadibou Sané: "Lens will be a difficult game, but we are ready"

He has settled in quickly. Arriving from Metz at the beginning of July, Sadibou Sané rapidly convinced Filipe Luís, who has consistently started him at centre-back alongside Eric Dier since the beginning of the season. A decision that has paid off, with the Senegalese defender proving very solid, much like AS Monaco as a whole. He therefore spoke to the media about this successful start, among other topics, two days before Lens visit the Stade Louis-II (Friday, 8:45pm).

His first few months at AS Monaco

I didn’t have any problems settling in because my teammates welcomed me very well. When I was at Metz, I was also lucky enough to meet Eric Dier after a game against AS Monaco, while I reunited with one of my former teammates, Lamine Camara. He helped me a lot with my adaptation, as did all of my teammates. So these first two months have gone very well.

His bond with Lamine Camara

I grew up with him in Senegal because our houses were opposite each other. It’s more than just a relationship, he’s like a brother to me (smiles). We were already playing football together when we were very young, and then we played together at Génération Foot, Metz and now AS Monaco. At youth level, we were on the same team, but we could also play against each other, depending on the circumstances. In any case, Lamine was already incredibly good, he could do everything he does now and he hasn’t changed. He’s someone who loves his profession, loves playing football and wanted to live out his dream of becoming a professional. He worked hard to achieve it.

His relationship with Filipe Luís

It’s going very well, and I’m lucky to work with him every day. He’s a coach who helps me improve my strengths and different aspects of my game, and I feel that every day. He talks to me a lot, I listen to his advice and try to put it into practice during matches and in training.

The red cards he received at Metz

Red cards can happen at any time and, even though you don’t want them to happen, they are part of football. It was a difficult period for me, although it helped me grow. In the second half of the season, I wanted to make up for my mistakes and I managed to stay calm in my game. The emotions are different when you lose compared to when you win, and they are indeed easier to manage after a victory. I worked a lot on this aspect with my mental coach, whom I started working with after those incidents. He still works with me at AS Monaco.

On Paris Brunner

He’s an exceptional player and he works very hard in training. I think that’s one of the reasons the coach likes him so much. During matches, he helps us keep the ball so that we can move the block up the pitch and then play with his teammates. One of his main qualities is his ability to play with his back to goal. You can see that he’s really strong because it’s difficult for his opponents to take the ball away from him (smiles). A striker needs confidence, and that comes when you score. That has been the case for Paris since the start of pre-season.

His partnership at centre-back with Eric Dier

You should know that before I arrived here, I had already met him at Metz. After the game, he came into our dressing room and asked me whether I played like that every time or whether it had just been an exceptional performance. I told him that I’m always like that, whether I’m playing against AS Monaco or an R1 team, because I respect the opposition (smiles). We then exchanged shirts and he gave me some advice. He told me to keep going like that and that I would become a great defender.

When I arrived at AS Monaco, he was very happy, and so was I. I’m pleased to play alongside him because I know he will help me improve, as he has previously played for some great clubs. We communicate a lot and he shares his experience. He also knows football very well and has worked with several coaches during his career. Everything is going very well with me, he’s humble, always smiling and talks to me a lot. I’m more than happy to take his advice so that I can learn more.

The game against Lens

We’ve prepared well for this game during the week because we know it won’t be easy, with Lens being a difficult opponent. It’s no surprise to see them in the Champions League because they had an excellent season last year. It will therefore be a difficult game, but we are ready. They have just changed coach, of course, but it’s still the same players and they already know each other very well. I don’t see any particular difference, so we’ll have to approach the game knowing that it won’t be easy.

The Senegal national team

The official squad list is due to be announced on Friday, although I’ve heard the various rumours about who will be included. It would give me great pleasure to wear this shirt and represent my country. It was a dream, and I would love for it to become a reality! I hope I’ll have the news before the Lens game because it could give me some extra confidence.