Wissam Ben Yedder: "We're having a great season and we won't give up"

The captain did it again. Unstoppable at the moment, Wissam Ben Yedder opened the scoring at the start of the match against Stade Rennais (2-1), to guide his teammates to a 24th win this season in Ligue 1. Now involved in ten goals over his last seven games (7 goals and 3 assists), the Monaco captain has not stopped being decisive in high-stakes games. It is therefore with a free spirit, three days ahead of facing Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Coupe de France, that the Monegasque number 9 spoke, all smiles, with the press at the end of the match.

Good evening Wissam. You won the first “final” of this end of the season …

It’s true that we won a final. Overall, we’ve had a very good season and we will have to keep working until the end because we will not give up. We will give our all. It was a tough match but we will fight to the end and give it our all.

After the match, did you reflexively look for Lyon’s result?

Not at all. We are focused on ourselves. We have our destiny in hand. We do not look at the results of Lille, Lyon or Paris. We have two games left and we will play them hard.

Did you have any doubts in the second half?

You know, every match is difficult. They came back to within 2-1. We could have scored the third goal but they also were pushing for an equalizer. Rennes are a very good team. We were able to win thanks to our great solidarity. We didn’t give up. We showed that we could stand up and be counted. That is what matters.

Does the performance bubble make it possible to further build the intrasquad relationships?

A lot of players have contracted COVID-19 recently. This bubble allows us to be careful not to lose other players. It is true that it strengthens ties. When we are united, we communicate better and we fight for each other as teammates.

How will you approach the Cup final?

It’s a final. Nobody saw us getting to the final or finishing in the top three. These are very difficult matches ahead of us. We will approach this final, as well as the last match, with a lot of desire and character. We’re gonna give everything.

What do you prefer between lifting the Cup and finishing 3rd?

There is no choice to be made. Two very important games await us. I am a competitor, I want to win both. We’ll see what happens. We are confident and sure of our strengths.

Is it exciting to be playing for something more at such a late stage of the season?

It’s always exciting to play this kind of game. But the pressure is there on a daily basis.

You have been consistently decisive over the last few weeks. How do you explain being there at the right time?

I try to give my best for the team. I place no limits on myself. I try to move forward every day. I’m not focused on the past but only on improving myself and staying united with the team. I just want to have fun.

⚽️ 𝕃𝕒 𝕤𝕡𝕖́𝕔𝕚𝕒𝕝𝕖 @WissBenYedder ✨ #RISK #ASMSRFC pic.twitter.com/LncMqpfISL

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) May 16, 2021

What does it mean to score 20 goals in Ligue 1?

It’s a source of pride. I will continue to score. This is my job. I really like playing football. I want to continue scoring like this. It’s a great point of pride and a dream.

Are you impatiently waiting for Didier Deschamps’ squad announcement?

First, I am trying to focus on my club. It’s the manager’s choice. I’m staying in my bubble to try to do my best. These are things that I have no control over. Of course, there is a little fear and apprehension of getting injured as a competition like this approaches. It’s a dream for everyone to play in it.