AS Monaco will face Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League with full confidence. Philippe Clement’s team remains on nine games without defeat (excluding penalties). Certainly, in 2023, there was this elimination in the Coupe de France against Rodez after a draw (2-2) and the penalty shootout, but that did not prevent Monaco from lining up the matches without defeat.
“We are living a good period, recognizes defender Ruben Aguilar. We have a good state of form. And that’s the whole workforce. Each guy, holder or not, gives 100%, respects the game plan and gives for others. At the moment, we feel a collective strength. I hope it will continue for a long time.”
For the Monegasque side, this European trip against Bayer, current 8th in the Bundesliga, is “a bonus”. “But this match is very important, he warns. We must not break the dynamic. We must also perform well because the Europa League is a great competition, with great teams and it is always important to show up. this level.” “Our challenge is to win in Leverkusen, continues Clement, his coach. He will be a very big opponent, strong, especially in the transition. It will look like a final.”
“Do not deprive yourself of anything”
Driven by a very positive dynamic, the Monegasque players flourish collectively and individually. Captain and top scorer Wissam Ben Yedder, who is not always a starter, has also just been voted best Ligue 1 player of the month for January.
He, like everyone in the workforce, finally favors the collective purpose over the individual aspect. In addition, everyone is finally tasting the fruits of the physical and tactical work put in place by Clement and his staff for many months. “The group is united, collective, united, explains Aguilar. But you must never relax or feel sorry for yourself. A professional career is not easy. The coach has 23 soldiers. He knows it. It’s not not always easy. Me, if I have five minutes to eat, I take them. If I have 90, it’s good. A career is short. I play everything to the fullest.”
“All the players are good”
“Thanks to the collective, all the players are good at the moment, continues Clement. But I’m sure we haven’t reached our limits yet.” He even predicts an “exceptional season”, if everyone continues on the same path. “When I arrived, I said I wanted to see winners, and that’s what I see more and more in matches and in training, he says. This must still be the case when the next few weeks.”
During the victory against Auxerre at home (3-2), on February 1, the end of the uncontrolled meeting did not please the Belgian technician. Since then, corrections have been made. “We were scared, remembers Aguilar. However, to keep our momentum, we cannot afford any relaxation. At the moment, there is none. We have to continue like this and try to kill each match “.
In Leverkusen, this Monaco, imperial in France, will be very ambitious. “We are hungry, concludes Aguilar. We are not going to deprive ourselves of anything. The objective is to be strong and to continue.”