Monaco does not want to hide before the return match against Eindhoven. The Monegasque coach, Philippe Clement, assured this on Monday August 8 at a press conference: “The confidence is there.” The Red and Whites travel to PSV in the second leg of the third preliminary round on Tuesday evening, a week after the first leg draw at Louis II (1-1).
“We are aware of our qualitiesexplained the Belgian coach. The players have worked hard in recent months to be ready. More and more players are. We saw it against Strasbourg.” Despite a turnover in the starting line-up, and a few holders left to rest, ASM won on the Alsatians’ lawn for their first league match of the season, where only three clubs (Lille, Marseille, Angers) had brought down Racing on its lawn last year.
️ ‣ #PSVASM
On the eve of the return match against the @PSVthe coach @philippe_clemnt spoke to the media.
The coach’s press conference ‣ https://t.co/hP8moQVEj9 pic.twitter.com/mEno3hWxNL
– AS Monaco (@AS_Monaco) August 8, 2022
“For me, mentally, we are favourites”says Philippe Clement. “I’m sure we are stronger physically. But we have to show it on the pitch. Even if they have the advantage of playing at home, we want to show that we are the better team over two games.” The coach even prepared his group for the possibility of a penalty shoot-out in the event of a tie. “I mentioned the experience in Nantes [défaite en demi-finale de Coupe de France] with players.”
Monegasque goalkeeper Alexander Nübel is going in the same direction as his coach. “In the first leg, we were good defensively and in transitions.he points out. We had the opportunity to win. We expect a good atmosphere there. We can not wait to be there. We have a good chance of winning this game.”
A year after the difficult elimination in the Champions League play-offs against Shakhtar Donetsk, the group has matured, according to the German goalkeeper. “We have one more year together, an experience together. We are stronger collectively. It’s a big advantage.”
Philippe Clement does not want to project himself on a possible elimination. “I always think of the positive scenario”he assured. “But if that’s not the case, it doesn’t change anything. There are a lot of league games left, and a very interesting European Cup to play for.” In the event of an unfavorable result on Tuesday evening, Monaco will be transferred directly to the group stage of the Europa League.