Guillermo Maripán: "Continue to have the same impact, both in attack and defence"
He is currently the most prolific defender in the European Top 5 leagues. Scorer of four goals and one assist (in all competitions) since the start of the season, and invovled in five goals in the top flight, Guillermo Maripán is a pillar of the AS Monaco defence. So before the big match against Paris Saint-Germain this Saturday at the Stade Louis-II (5 p.m.), he spoke about the current form of the team with the media.
His offensive impact
It is true that I have good statistics on the pitch. I try to help the team as much as possible, even if my job is to do my job well defensively. I’m happy to have scored all these goals, but there are still a lot of games left this season and I hope to have the same impact both in attack and defence.
🎥 Un but précoce de @gmaripan3 qui avait mis les Rouge & Blanc sur de bons rails 👀
Le résumé de #CF63ASM est disponible ⤵️
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) February 6, 2023
My positioning in the opponent’s area is something that I have been working on a lot for 3-4 years. Positioning, being there at the right time, finding the right balance and communication with my teammates… It’s a job for everyone, but I know that with my physical characteristics, I could improve on this level.
The defensive work of Golovin
It’s true that we train a lot, not just Golo’ but with the whole squad, to defend well and attack well together. The coach is very clear, you have to make these efforts in a coordinated way if you want to get results. Golo’ does a great job of taking free kicks, and that’s a plus for the team.
Rotation in defence
The situation has not changed since the resumption of the season (after the World Cup), because all the players who are part of the squad train to be able to play and defend for the club. We don’t play with the fear of getting hurt, or the feeling of having to take it easy with the fixture list. On the contrary, I feel that the team is in very good physical shape. But if a player, regardless of the position, were to be injured, I am sure that we would be able to replace his quality.
Retour sur le match de @vandi_001 🔥🎥#OMASM https://t.co/PB7QvFnANx pic.twitter.com/yvnEjw0TBQ
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) January 30, 2023
The big match against PSG
I don’t think yesterday’s defeat in the Coupe de France against Olympique de Marseille changes anything in their preparation for Saturday’s match (kick-off 5 p.m.). It will be another battle no matter the circumstances. We know they lost a great player in the form of Kylian Mbappé, who will be injured this weekend. But PSG are a great team with a very deep squad, and I’m sure that won’t diminish them or change the way they play.
Defending against the duo of Messi and Neymar
They are two players who are obviously very clever, have a lot of quality, and are very intelligent in the way they play. Against them, you always have to be very focused, communicate a lot with your teammates, and also show aggression, because they don’t necessarily like that. I think high pressing can hinder them, as Marseille have shown. This is one of the ingredients that we will have to put into this match.
The team’s run of scoring in 32 matches
It obviously gives us a lot of confidence to know that we can score at any time in any match. We are aware of this, and it gives us even more energy, because we want to continue this run.
The team’s improvement in the season’s second half
No season is like the previous one. At the start of this season, we were receiving a lot of red cards, which cost us points. But each year, we have managed to show a strength of character to pick ourselves back up. We have shown a lot of quality to prove that we are fighting for the European places, and that is positive.
A leader in the dressing room
It is true that I am now one of the most experienced players in the locker room. I do not hesitate to talk to the young players, to give them advice and above all to give them a sense of calm. They have to show their qualities, and that is part of my role in the team, to help these talents succeed in the best manner possible.
On the squad’s depth
There is healthy competition in this squad. All the players who are part of it have the mindset to help the team, to pull themselves up. Not only in the attacking positions but elsewhere, in all the sectors of the team. Everyone works hard to maintain the pressure, to keep this good atmosphere and that resonates above all collectively, not individually. That’s why competition is very healthy for me.
On Eliesse Ben Seghir
Personally I see a young player who displays a lot of character, who does not feel the pressure. When you show that, it’s much easier to prove your qualities on the pitch. He has a good mentality, shows us that he is there to learn. Our role is to support him and put him in the best possible position so that he can show his talent at the highest level.
𝑆𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑒́ : 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗴𝗵𝗶𝗿 💎#MadeInLaDiagonale pic.twitter.com/YiiG4q37pC
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) February 1, 2023
