Monaco (AFP)
"Even if I want to show humility, I am aiming for two victories against Lyon": Niko Kovac, the Monaco coach who plays the quarter-finals of the Cup in Lyon on Wednesday, does not intend to leave anything to his opponent, nor in Cup, nor in the league where they will meet the Lyonnais on May 2 in L1.
The Croatian coach knows that the excellent momentum of his team in 2021 (13 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss in L1, and three qualifications in the Cup) can be broken at any time.
However, in the + money-time + of the season, it is always difficult to bounce back quickly.
The Monegasques do not want to suffer any inconvenience and will therefore not let go of the Cup.
"It's a very important match, assures the Chilean defender Guillermo Maripan. We will soon receive them in L1. This will allow us to know each other better. We are going to Lyon to win, without calculation."
- "Stay strong" -
In Lyon, Monaco also wants to keep another dynamic: the ability of this group not to concede a goal lately.
"We want to remain a solid team, which does not take a goal, continues Maripan. It helps and gives confidence to everyone, defenders and forwards. We have made a lot of progress defensively. We want to add the + clean-sheets + up to the end of season. "
All competitions combined, Monaco remains on seven games without conceding a goal.
Only Strasbourg Guilbert, in added time at La Meinau (0-1), managed to beat a Monegasque goalkeeper in the last ten matches of the Principality's team.
This trip to Lyon will also be the occasion for the French Riviera training to return to the site of a founding act.
On October 25, Monaco sank in one half (4-0).
Before Kovac changes his system and the team saves the honor despite a heavy defeat in the end (4-1 for Lyon).
Since then, Monaco has known only a sudden jump, against Lens at home (0-3).
Above all, the Principality's team offers quality play.
Without ambiguity, Kovac lets go: "Even if I want to show humility, I am aiming for two victories against Lyon".
- "Bonus" -
"After Bordeaux (3-0, Sunday), I said I was happy and proud, he says. We are qualified in Europe. All that happens now is a bonus. The pressure is on. on the others. We have nothing to lose. But, as we are a competitor, we want to look for more! "
Because Kovac loves the Cup.
He remains on an impressive series of 22 qualifiers in 23 directed matches, since his debut in Frankfurt, then with Bayern Munich and Monaco.
That is a record of 19/20 in Germany (a defeat in the final with Frankfurt, against Dortmund) and 3/3 in France.
“Winning is the best feeling,” he smiles.
As to whether the outcome of this match will have an impact on the upcoming duel in L1, he wonders.
"In Lyon, I will run, Garcia too. He has a great match to manage against Lille on Sunday," he anticipates.
In case of victory, Lyon would indeed pass in front of Lille on goal difference.
A unique opportunity to open the doors of the Champions League for the Gones.
"We have the opportunity to have our destiny between our feet," admits Rudi Garcia, who will play part of his season.
Also, the Rhone coach may well ensure he wants to "continue the adventure in the Cup" and "do everything to win us against Monaco", his speech seems less audible than that of his Croatian counterpart.
© 2021 AFP