Takumi Minamino: “Find a level of regularity in our performances”
He has now been involved in ten goals this season in Ligue 1 (5 goals, 5 assists). He recorded his fifth assist agains Les Aiglons on the goal to make it 2-1, setting up his Swiss teammate as Takumi Minamino was one of the architects of a Derby win (2-3). He’s eager to continue like this against Toulouse at the Stade Louis-II (Sunday, 3 p.m.), as the Monegasque attacking midfielder said at a pre-match press conference. 🎙️
Victory in the Derby
I must admit that there is a much better feeling after this important win against Nice, that’s obvious. I feel like we won more than three points in this match. We were very happy after the match, even if we quickly focused on our next match this Sunday against Toulouse. But there is indeed a very good atmosphere these last few days.
His decisive pass against Nice
It’s a very nice headed goal for Zak’! In the locker room, just before the second half, the coach asked me to adapt to the spaces between the midfield and the opposing defense. So I tried to do it. Then, Thilo gave me a good ball, and I saw that Denis had got forward into the area. Then he showed his quality with his head by scoring this great goal. He is very important to us! I was really happy at the time.
Quel coup de casque 💥🪖@Deniszakaria8 🫶
2⃣-3⃣ #OGCNASM pic.twitter.com/QptDeFjGSU
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) February 11, 2024
The need to bounce back after Rouen
It’s tough to forget the feeling of losing in the Coupe de France against a third division team. But the most important thing is to have bounced back after this immense disappointment, by winning our match against Nice. We brought back the three points and I think that’s the thing to remember. I repeat, it was essential to react.
On a lack of consistency
This is something we need to make real progress on, that’s obvious. We must continue to play well after a big match like in Nice, with the same energy, the same passion and the same technical accuracy. If we want to play in the Champions League next season, it’s essential! I think the team has understood this, and we will have to show against Toulouse that we can regain consistency in our performances.
𝗝-2⃣ avant la réception du @ToulouseFC 🔜👊
𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝘂𝘅 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲 🎉 pic.twitter.com/BBRT7ompM2
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) February 16, 2024
The team’s position in the table
The fact that there are many teams very close together between second and sixth, this definitely adds pressure. But I think we can use this pressure in a positive way. There are many candidates for European places, and we must use this competition to perform.
About Wilfried Singo‘s AFCON win
This win in the Africa Cup of Nations, this is great news for Wilfried and the whole team. After the Nice match, we all watched the end of the final with Ivory Coast. He came back yesterday and we celebrated his return together. He can bring good energy to the squad, he’s a great player whose qualities we all know. He can help us a lot in this second part of the season.
His good season
Personally I don’t think that much has changed, even if I worked hard to be able to attack this second season well. Even in pre-season at home in Japan. The arrival of coach Adi Hütter was important for me because we changed tactics. And then I had already worked with him in Salzburg, so I knew his philosophy and that helped me to move forward.
About the attack
Whether it’s Wissam or Folarin, we have two great attackers. Balo’ likes to go deep and use his speed, and Wissam likes to play in small spaces with me and Golo’ in particular. He is truly special, and knows how to score in all circumstances. It doesn’t really change for me to play behind one or the other, the most important thing is that I feel good supporting the striker.
The absence of Golovin against Toulouse
Maybe that puts more pressure on me, but I don’t want to talk about it too much, I prefer to play and respond on the pitch. We have a lot of young players, but experienced players like me, Wissam, Guillermo, Denis and Youssouf must guide them on and off the pitch. We have things to demonstrate, that’s for sure.
A preference between scoring and assisting?
I admit to having a slight preference on scoring rather than making assists. It’s truly a special feeling! But I don’t really feel like a striker, my preferred position remains behind the striker, as I have already explained.
Cinquième but de la saison pour @takumina0116 🔝
‣ #ASMMHSC pic.twitter.com/TRkxhHerYd
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) December 4, 2023
