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Ligue 1 Uber Eats 26 January 2023, 15:33

Youssouf Fofana: "A new league starts on Saturday"

Youssouf Fofana: "A new league starts on Saturday"
Two days before AS Monaco's trip to the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille (9 p.m.), our midfielder Youssouf Fofana spoke at a press conference. Extracts.

They will do everything to continue their good run on the road. Undefeated away from the Stade Louis-II since October, Philippe Clement’s men travel this Saturday January 28 (kick-off 9 p.m.) to face Olympique de Marseille. Before this big match, the Rouge et Blanc number 19 spoke at a press conference.

His form after the World Cup

I feel very good, even if I did not have a break. I kept in shape on my side, and I know that with the sequence of matches, it will do me well. Psychologically, everything is fine too. So I’m in great shape.

The teams in front are doing well, but we showed last year that we can get ourselves up at the best of times.
Youssouf FofanaAbout the top teams

The evolution of his status

With the French team, we know, Axel Disasi and I, that our status has evolved. But you can’t worry about this. The people we work with have not changed the way they see us. That’s what it takes!

To be honest, I didn’t expect to play as much, but I spoke with the coach (Didier Deschamps, editor’s note), and I understood that he was counting on me. Even if I have sometimes only played the ends of matches, I am used to playing every three days, so I can take a lot of pride in this.

The match against Marseille and the pace of the top teams

There is some disappointment with the reverse fixture. We had the game in hand, but we were pegged back at the last second. It’s behind us, and a new season starts on Saturday. Of course, the result will mattert but we will also have to take points in the next matches to improve a potential good performance at the Vélodrome.

In coming here, I wanted to be an experienced Ligue 1 player, and to start in this historic club, AS Monaco. I think I can say that I managed to accomplish those two. The last is to be able to play in the Champions League with the Club.
Youssouf FofanaAbout his goals

Saturday, we will have to do everything to win and send a message to our competitors. We will take the matches one after the other. The teams in front of us, but we showed last year that we can get ourselves up at the best of times.

Mohamed Camara’s suspension

I don’t know who I will be playing with, if I’m on the pitch of course (laughs)! Whether it’s Soungoutou Magassa, Eliot Matazo or Jean Lucas, we have all worked together all season. So, it’s not a problem for me to evolve with one player rather than another.

The team’s streak of scoring goals away from home

Honestly, we hadn’t paid particular attention to this statistic, it was the coach who told us. But it’s great, it puts good pressure on the attackers. They will be scrambling to score now (laughs).

His improvement offensively

Score more? You are tough, I scored against Troyes already (smile)! I’m on an average of one goal every thirty games, so we’ll have to wait a little longer for the next one. But when you see the rhythm of the attackers this season, I think they don’t need me (laughs).

His personal goals and with the Club

In coming here, I wanted to be an experienced Ligue 1 player, and to start in this historic club, AS Monaco. I think I can say that I managed to accomplish those two. The last is to be able to play in the Champions League with the Club. Until this goal is achieved, I am not setting others for myself.

Rise. Risk. Repeat.