Monaco-OM : Press conference

Press conference replay on Twitch

ADRIEN RABIOT: "IN THIS LAST ROW LINE, THE POINTS WILL BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE CONTENT" 

The importance of the win over Toulouse before facing Monaco

We wanted to regain our confidence before a vital match like the one against Monaco. In terms of content, there were some good things and some not-so-good things. But we had to win because our rivals had done it, and we did. I think that in this final stretch, the points will be more important than the content. There's a risk that we won't be playing at the level of our best games. Overall, we've had our ups and downs this season and sometimes we haven't been able to make the difference at times when we could have taken a lead in the standings. The objective is clear: we want to win in Monaco to put them at a distance, and we've worked very hard for that this week.

Adrien Rabiot's positioning and ability to score

When I spoke to the coach before arriving, I wasn't expected to play so high up. I was supposed to play in the two lower midfield positions. But as things turned out, he had to adapt and change the pattern. I played on the right, then on the left, and he saw that it worked well. With me, he's guaranteed to have a player who can defend and press high up the pitch, in addition to my attacking contribution. The coach and I are satisfied. My position suits me: I feel good, I think my performances are at the expected level and I'm scoring more goals than usual. Scoring goals? Over the years, I've often been told that I had potential in the penalty area, but it took me a long time to realise that. Today, with the position I'm in and the confidence I've built up, it's paying off.

The group and the Champions League objective

There's no problem with what I said about Reims. I came here with clear objectives defined with the club, and I don't hide that from the group. It's my role to help the younger players understand, along with the older ones, the importance of going to the Champions League for the club as well as for them. We talk a lot in private, that's part of our role. We all have to be pulling in the same direction and be 100% committed. After Reims, the coach banged his fist on the table and did what he had to do. That got everyone moving again. We couldn't afford to let all our hard work from the start of the season go to waste. We wanted to see a different attitude and a different state of mind, and we succeeded.

Is this the best version of Adrien Rabiot's career?

I'm feeling really good physically. I preferred not to take any risks in the EDF. I'm 100%, focused and enthusiastic about achieving the goal we've set ourselves. I think that for the last 2 seasons, I've been at the best moment of my career, physically, in terms of my football and in terms of my mind. I'm trying to pass on everything I've learnt at Juve through contact with great players and to give back what I've been given. This desire to give everything, especially to the younger players, is important. If you learn this way of working when you're young, you keep it for the rest of your career. Every piece of advice is important and can make a difference.

Repeated defensive problems

We've often had to change our first-choice players at the back, due to injuries and other moves during the summer. The fact is that we've conceded too many goals because of details and that we sometimes lack concentration in certain phases of the game. It's not just the fault of the defensive line, it's a team effort and we all have to work to correct that. Sometimes, in the transition phases, our pressing was poorly coordinated and we got caught out at the back. Maybe we got too caught up in our desire to win the ball back quickly and we stupidly put ourselves in danger.

ROBERTO DE ZERBI: "MONACO? IT'S AN IMPORTANT, DECISIVE MATCH. I HOPE WE'RE READY TO FIGHT THIS BATTLE."

The match against Monaco

It's a match that's more than important, even decisive. Monaco have a very good team and this match will be difficult for both teams. I hope we're ready to fight this battle, it's going to be a great game.

The defensive system

At the moment, as you can see, we don't have many real defenders available. Kondogbia, Rongier... they're very good players, but they're not defenders! Today, we're talking about a system, but if I want to have a 4-man defence, who can I field? I only have Cornelius as a real defender. That's why I prefer to use a 3-man defence. I've always played with 4 men in my career, but I have to adapt to the characteristics of my players and the reality of the moment.

Amine Harit, Faris Moumbagna and Amine Gouiri...

Gouiri will be able to play in this match, but I don't know how long yet. I think it will be complicated for him to play the whole match, like Bennacer or Hojbjerg. As for Faris, last week we needed him on the bench because we had to make up the numbers. But he's obviously not ready to start a match yet. He has different qualities to the other players in the squad and I think he'll have a role to play between now and the end of the season. As for Amine, I spoke to him this week. He's had a long injury but he's feeling good at the moment and he could be important. The problem is that in his position, there's Greenwood and Rabiot. If I put Greenwood on one side, it takes him away from the goal and he has to defend... The competition is high, which is why Rowe and Nadir haven't had much game time.

Fervour away from home

We never really feel at home away from home, even in Paris. Obviously, when half the stadium is with you, it's important. The fans are very present and can be decisive.