Takumi Minamino: "The Conference League is an important competition for us"

He is set to make his comeback with the Japanese national team! Sidelined for several months due to a serious injury, Takumi Minamino made his grand return in mid-October during the away victory against CSKA Sofia on Matchday 1 of the Conference League (1-2), and has just been called up by the Japan head coach to take part in the next Samurai Blue training camp. It was therefore a delighted Rouge et Blanc attacker who attended the pre-match press conference 24 hours ahead of the third Conference League fixture against FC Nordsjælland at the Stade Louis-II (Thursday, 21:00). Excerpts🎙️

The squad's mindset after the defeat in Paris 👥

It is always tough after a defeat, but we are currently competing in two competitions: the Conference League and Ligue 1. That means we are playing two matches a week, so we have to quickly switch our focus mentally to concentrate on the next game, even after a difficult match. Today, everyone is fully focused on tomorrow's game against Nordsjælland.

His return from injury 🇲🇨 🇯🇵

It has now been more than two months since I returned to team training and I feel really good, including physically. I am starting to get used to this rhythm of playing two matches a week. Personally, I am also very happy to be called up to the national team again, but as I said, I need to stay focused on the next match. As an attacking player, I also want to help the team more by scoring goals or providing assists, and that is what I am focusing on right now.

His feelings on the pitch 🏟️

Yes, I feel fully ready to play 90 minutes, even though my maximum playing time so far has been 60 minutes. I feel very good physically and I am in good shape. It is difficult to compare my physical condition before my injury with how I feel today, but I feel really good at the moment. Of course, I still need to build consistency and keep working hard to become even sharper and more effective. Regarding my touch and feel for the ball, I think I can and must still do better, but I feel confident!

On his positioning ⚽️

When I play as a winger in this team under the coach, it is not a pure winger role. I can cut inside,get involved in the build-up play and link up with my teammates, so I feel very comfortable there. In any case, as long as I am on the pitch, I am ready to start in any position because I am just very happy to play and give everything for the team. Of course, since I have just come back from injury, I still need to build more chemistry on the pitch with my teammates. Collectively, we also need to improve those connections as well as several other aspects of our game, but on a personal level, I feel very good regardless of my position.

Passing on his European experience 🇪🇺

We have a lot of very talented young players in the squad, but I am not someone who talks a lot in the dressing room. What I can do, however, is lead by example by giving 100% every day in training and in matches! That is the kind of attitude I can show every day in front of the young players, and I hope they can take inspiration and learn something from it.

Missing the World Cup 🏆

Missing the World Cup was a very tough moment in my life, perhaps one of the worst periods I have ever experienced, but in football, these kinds of things and injuries happen sometimes. Today, I savour every single day because I am able to play football pain-free and injury-free. So I am taking things day by day, with the desire to enjoy myself on the pitch and help the team!

The Club's ambitions in the Conference League 💪

Can AS Monaco go far? Yes, I hope so! Of course, the Conference League is a major competition for us, both collectively and personally. We want to go as far as possible and achieve something special in the Conference League.