PRO SPORT
We were reduced to nine men and , with several Academy players like Benoît Badiashile , Eliot Matazo , Chrislain Matsima and Giulian Biancone , we held on to win 3:2 . It was a nice tribute to our youth and to the quality of our Academy but also to our sports project in which the development of young players has its place . I was also very excited when we won at the Parc des Princes against PSG in February . Paris was the reigning French champion and they were coming off a Champions League recital against Barcelona . Niko Kovač and his staff had done an incredible job to counter them . It was a landmark victory . Finally , the last match in Lens was like a relief . It ’ s wonderful to see an entire team reap the fruits of its labour . This European qualification is fully deserved .
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: How is the Club going to work during the off – season and what are your plans for the “ mercato ”?
Oleg Petrov , Niko Kovač and Paul Mitchell at the press conference
OP : The transfer period has not yet started ( when the interview was conducted . — Ed .) but we are very attentive to the market . We have looked at different scenarios to strengthen the team . It ’ s Paul ’ s role to look for profiles that will bring something extra to the team while fitting in well with our playing philosophy and the collective characteristics developed by Niko .
: AS Monaco is back to the Champions League after three years of absence . What will be the strategy ?
OP : First of all , we are very happy to have certified our return to Europe with several
Dmitry Rybolovlev and Oleg Petrov in 2019 games left in the championship . To have the best record in 2021 in L1 , and one of the best in Europe , is a source of real pride . So is being back in Europe and playing a sixth continental campaign in the last eight seasons . For our youngsters , to rub shoulders with the best teams would be a great challenge . If we reach the group stage , we intend to do well and show a good image of the Principality .
: How are your relationships with Paul Mitchell and Niko Kovač ?
OP : The relationship between the three of us is very good . We work in a collegial manner
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and with good understanding . We exchange on a daily basis , in a constructive way , and there is a lot of transparency between us . Each in our own field , we respect the work of the others and we move forward with the same objective : to make AS Monaco progress day after day .
: You have been in AS Monaco for two years . What have you managed to do and what have you not ?
OP : There have been many things , many emotions , great moments and others , more complicated , but which have allowed me to discover new facets of the profession . Football is very demanding . I am very happy to have lived this season with the group . However , I would have liked our supporters to be with us to celebrate with the whole AS Monaco family . Their return to the stadium , which I hope will be soon , will be a new challenge for us but above all a great joy for us . We have also decided to offer our season ticket holders of the season just ended their season ticket for the coming season . We can ’ t wait to see our fans again .
: In 2024 , the club will celebrate its 100th anniversary . Are you already planning some events on this occasion ?
OP : We are lucky enough to represent one of the most successful clubs in the French Championship . AS Monaco is the club of the Principality , with a great history , a record of success and a very strong identity among football fans . We will do our best to pay tribute to the Club , its history and to celebrate this special anniversary in a collec tive way .
Hello Monaco Summer — Autumn 2021 / 75 www . hellomonaco . com