Interviews - 24/01/2009
Ricardo : “ A chance for us ”
The day before facing Frédéric Antonetti and OGC Nice in the French Cup round of 16, the coach of AS Monaco FC insists the stakes are high for this, the 98th derby in club history...
Ricardo, AS Monaco FC plays host to Nice this Sunday in the French Cup round of 16. Is there a special sense of excitement before the match ?
Yes, because it is a derby in the French Cup. You could feel this in the run-up to the match. The group reacts differently. I much prefer to have this type of motivation for a game even if we know our opponents feel the same.
What do you hope for this Sunday ?
We must prove ourselves each match, but even more so on Sunday. It is a chance for us to catch up with many things. There is a lot at stake. We need a series of wins to regain our confidence. It would be great to start against Nice, especially at home…
Especially against an opponent who has had an easy time of it at the Louis II for several seasons…
This streak will stop someday, and I hope that it will be Sunday ! We should not be afraid to make it happen. The adversity should be met head on. I like to face difficulties, to surpass them. We have not forgotten the past results against Nice, the defeat this season (2-1) and the last minute draw last season (1-1). We beat them at their stadium at the end of last year, but now we need a win at home.
Yes, the tournament is very important to us. It will indeed be easier for Monaco to find itself in Europe by way of the French Cup than by the championship, even though considering the points, we can still climb the table.
Unfortunately, you will be without your two usual outside midfielders, Camel Meriem and Alejandro Alonso. Is this a big handicap ?
I am disappointed in their absence. For Camel, we expected it a little. He managed to play during December, but it was necessary now to intervene and take care of the knee. Alejandro, I had for two years at Bordeaux, and he was never injured ! It seems that his first injury against Paris in August created a muscular imbalance which has become the source of a series of new injuries. It is bad news for us because he is an important player. He gives us balance on the right side of the field. We will adapt.
The solution on the left side could be Alexandre Licata, whose contract comes to an end in June. He is one that has been talked about a lot during this transfer window. What is his situation ?
We will not lose Alexandre ! A Ligue 1 club is interested, but he will not leave. I talked with his agent this week, and we are all in agreement. He will remain in Monaco until the end of the season. After that, we will find a solution, but no one is in a hurry.
A word to finish on the dazzling form of Juan Pablo Pino…
It is hard work that pays off and maturity, which is coming. I am happy with what he has done today, but he has not arrived yet. It is necessary to continue.