Thilo Kehrer: "To show against Lille the values ​​that make us strong"

One last match to be won at home. With the season drawing to a close, it's time for the Rouge et Blanc to face their final challenge at the foot of the Rock, when they host Lille this Sunday at the Stade Louis-II (9 pm). It is to discuss the importance of this crucial match for the team's European future that Thilo Kehrer spoke to the media, two days before this vital encounter. 🎙️

The big match against Lille

It's a big match ahead of us! We'll approach it in the best possible way, and we know we're in the final matches of the season, so we remain ambitious. Above all, we want to showcase the values ​​that make us strong and the details that were our strength during our seven-game winning streak. We know what we're capable of, and the most important thing is that we show it on the pitch on Sunday. It's a crucial match because if we beat Lille, we'll be just one point behind them, with one matchday remaining, in a league full of surprises. They'll be trying to win, but above all, they'll be trying to keep us at bay. Psychologically, I think we need to see this match a bit like a final.

Preparing for the match

We've looked at their tactics and playing style over the past few weeks and months, but it's not necessarily a team that has changed its style during the season. We mainly want to focus on the principles we want to demonstrate. How do you defend against a very fast player like Matías Fernández-Pardo? Well, I think there are a lot of very, very fast players in this league. What's important is to work collectively, to give them as little space as possible, and to limit their runs in behind. Then, you have to defend intelligently and manage each situation as best you can.

The return of Paul Pogba

Paul has a very strong mentality, and since he arrived, he's been working hard right away. I can see that he's fully committed to his recovery and training every day. It's not always easy to come back from a long absence and get back into shape, both physically and mentally. I think he's still capable of raising his performance level, especially in terms of intensity. For all players, the first match is the hardest, both physically and in terms of finding their bearings. By the second match, the body is already adapting. Starting a match has also given him a boost of energy, and I hope he can use that against Lille and then Strasbourg.

The intensity necessary for pressing

I think it's something that needs to be done collectively and with timing that allows us to build intensity. It's important to be aligned on that because if one player is even slightly late, they can be exposed and suffer gaps in their defense. Against Metz, we showed some good things, but sometimes we weren't consistent enough in our play. Against Lille, we'll need a performance well above that, with even higher intensity, more energy, and more aggression.

The table with two matchdays remaining

We're obviously aware of our position, but we know very well that imagining or doing calculations doesn't really help. We know there are two matches left to play and we want to take six points out of six, even though we know we have very good opponents. It's going to be difficult, but we're ready and we'll see where we finish.

La dernière de la saison au Stade Louis-II

On sait que beaucoup de supporters vont venir d’un peu partout en France pour nous soutenir pour ce dernier match à domicile ! Nous sommes conscients que nous avons eu des hauts et des bas cette saison, mais que les fans étaient quand même présents à tous les matchs, notamment dans les moments difficiles. Eux aussi ont peut-être été frustrés ou en colère, mais on constate surtout qu'ils ne nous ont jamais lâchés, même à l’extérieur. C'est pour cela que dimanche, nous voulons montrer un bon visage et donner du plaisir à nos supporters.

Ansu Fati's season

Ansu is a very smiley guy who has integrated well into the team. On the pitch, he's shown all his qualities, especially his composure, his ability to find space to create chances, and to be at the end of attacks to score goals. Thanks to all the work he puts in every day, he's become much more physically stable, which allows him to get more playing time. What's amazing is that his self-confidence and hunger to score goals have never wavered, whether he's played five minutes or a whole match. He gets along very well and spends a lot of time with Paul (Pogba), who can help him with his experience. They arrived at the club almost at the same time and also have a somewhat similar history, having suffered injuries and then working incredibly hard to come back in better physical shape.