The reactions of Akliouche, Diatta and Fofana after the win over Lille
They’ve taken another step in the race for the Champions League. Winners against LOSC (1-0), our Rouge et Blanc have indeed recorded a fourth victory in a row and moved six points ahead of the Northerners. After this win, Maghnes Akliouche, Krépin Diatta and the game’s only scorer, Youssouf Fofana spoke in the mixed zone to reflect on this favorable result.
Good evening, Krépin. Do you think the team took a big step towards the Champions League with this result?
It’s a step, it’s true, but we have to continue because nothing has been settled yet. We are five points ahead of Brest and six above Lille, but it can change quickly. We have to get back into things on Sunday and try to continue our momentum. I think it will play out until the last round, it’s up to us to remain consistent and give our best. There are still matches to be played and we will have to take more points before thinking about the Champions League.
Trois points et un Breel Embolo de retour à Louis-II = 𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗶𝗿𝗲́𝗲 𝗥𝗘́𝗨𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗘 😍
1⃣-0⃣ #ASMLOSC pic.twitter.com/m8LcR5oTm0
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 24, 2024
After these two victories in Brest and against Lille, what was the atmosphere in the locker room?
We faced two direct competitors and took six points against them, that means we are on the right track. We are a team and it shows that we want to do things together. We are happy but from tomorrow, we will have to plan for Lyon.
Vous reprendrez bien un peu joie de vestiaire 😍 ?
1⃣-0⃣ #ASMLOSC pic.twitter.com/driZ0nmKUk
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 24, 2024
You also show solidity with these clean sheets.
These are two big matches where we’ve managed to score, without conceding. This solidity is important in the run-in. If you don’t concede a goal, you have a better chance of winning, that’s the reality of football.
Tell us about your playing left back this evening…
(Smiles) I’m managing. It’s a new position for me but I’m trying to give my best. If the coach put me in this position, it’s because he has confidence in my abilities, so I have to repay that. I will continue to work and I will not complain about it. But I won’t take Izo’s position in the national team, he’s my guy (laughs).
The reaction of Youssouf Fofana
Good evening Youssouf. Did you take a big step towards the Champions League this evening?
Just one step, because there are four games left and we will have to build on this result, otherwise this victory will remain anecdotal. Despite the absences, we kept a good collective mindset, as we had in Brest (a 0-2 win). It was also job done this evening, so from now on I hope that we can also do the same on Sunday in Lyon.
What have you changed in your game to score so much now?
The difference is that it’s coming back to me now (laughs)! I haven’t changed much honestly, I just take my chances when necessary. On this play, I didn’t see anyone making a run or someone to give it to, so I tell myself that I would go to the end and that no one will blame me for having a shot. It wasn’t luck, I really placed it well!
Il est tard mais pourquoi attendre ?
Régalez-vous avec cette frappe limpide de @YFofana19_ 😍
1⃣-0⃣ #ASMLOSC pic.twitter.com/FvEVLNFoBK
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 24, 2024
The job has been done since the start of the week with two win against direct opponents…
It’s true that we did the right thing by winning these two matches against Brest and Lille. But I speak with knowledge of the experience of previous years here, we will give everything until the end of the season, as long as second place is not secure.
Les mots de @YFofana19_ après avoir offert la victoire aux siens ✊
1⃣-0⃣ #ASMLOSC pic.twitter.com/3QImuOH7bo
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 24, 2024
The reaction of Maghnes Akliouche
Good evening Maghnes. The coach said that you could take a big step towards qualifying for the Champions League, do you feel it’s job done?
Yes, we knew that we were playing against a direct competitor in the standings. We are very happy with this victory, it is true that it is one more step towards the race for Europe and the Champions League. We can enjoy it but we know that the job is not done. There are matches left and we will have to do what is necessary.
There are four rounds left, this gives you an additional buffer…
We try not to think like that. This is an important victory, just like those obtained in Brest and against Rennes. Today we did what we had to do, it wasn’t easy but we managed to get another clean sheet. This goal from Youssouf then helped us move up the table.
La joie de nos Rouge & Blanc après ce précieux succès 😍
1⃣-0⃣ #ASMLOSC pic.twitter.com/pwJ6hV3ICX
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) April 24, 2024
What can deprive you of second place now?
These are simply matches to come. We can’t be careless — we have to do our job. All Ligue 1 teams are difficult to beat, we know that. On Sunday, we will have a big opponent in the form of a trip to Lyon, it will not be easy. We’re going to have to go out there and get a result. It will be a high-stakes match, like this one. They will be well organized, we will have to find defensive and offensive solutions.
