Adi Hütter: "Lille are one of the best teams in the league" | OneFootball

On the eve of the reception of Lille at the Stade Louis-II, this Friday (8:45 p.m.), the Monegasque technician spoke at a press conference with the desire to consolidate top spot.

Strengthen their  hold on top spot, and distance themselves even further from a direct competitor — that is the aim tomorrow evening. First with 19 points, the Rouge et Blanc are in fact six points ahead of LOSC and could therefore put them nine points behind. In any case, it is with this state of mind that the Monegasque coach Adi Hütter appeared at a press conference, on the eve of a visit from Les Dogues to the Stade Louis-II, this Friday (8:45 p.m.). Excerpts. 🎙️

We are going to have some very tough opponents coming up and for me Lille are one of the best teams in the league, they are also in the Champions League. When you remember the last match (1-0 win) it was a very difficult encounter. We have to expect a big match tomorrow night against Lille.

On goalkeeper

Radoslaw will be back in goal tomorrow. Last season, when Philipp arrived, he was clearly the number 1, then we changed during the season to Radek who became our first-choice goalkeeper.

It is largely thanks to him that we obtained qualification for the Champions League.We then swapped positions when he got injured in the summer, but now that he’s back and fit, he’s taking his place. It was a very tough decision to make because Philipp had a very good start to the season.

Competition

We had a conversation with both goalkeepers. I had a lot of empathy for Philipp who works hard every day, but he was really professional and he respects this decision. Radek owes his return thanks to his performances last year.

In twelve games, he had six clean sheets and had been really incredible, but I don’t forget that Philipp has done a remarkable job this season. I repeat it but I am happy to be able to count on three top goalkeepers. I would also like to highlight Yann Lienard in whom I have confidence.

On being in first place

It is a fact, we started the season very well but it was the same situation at the same time last year. We are undefeated in both competitions so we have to keep up the momentum.

We are going to have some very tough opponents coming up and for me Lille are one of the best teams in the league, they are also in the Champions League. When you remember the last match (1-0 win) it was a very difficult encounter. We have to expect a big match tomorrow night against Lille.

It's true, we're happy with our start to the season, but the league is not a sprint, it's more like a 400m. We have 19 points after seven games, that's huge, it means that everyone wants to beat us.

On the next match against Lille

They had some difficulties at the beginning of the season but now they have stabilized. They have changed their structure a little but most of the time, they play in 4-2-3-1. They have very interesting players like Edon Zhegrova, one of the best in the championship, Ayyoub Bouaddi who is only 17 years old and an incredible talent, or Bafodé Diakité and Angel Gomes.

They also have a very good coach, experienced, who is making his return to Ligue 1, in the person of Bruno Genesio. We both beat a top team in Spain. On our side, it was Barcelona, and them Real Madrid.

On George Ilenikhena

It’s an opportunity for him, he’ll be available to play. We mustn’t forget his age because he recently celebrated his 18th birthday. He’s a talented striker, we’re giving him time to develop here, but he’ll be able to play more games than before. With Balo’s injury, we have two strikers at the moment. Takumi can also play in that position, but of course, George has the talent to make the starting eleven.

Room for improvement

When you look at the development of Eliesse Ben Seghir, who is in very good physical shape and who scored two goals with Morocco during this break, or that of Maghnes Akliouche, who had his first full season in Ligue 1 last year, we have to pay attention to our young players.

George is also very strong but he can improve in his physical conditioning, and sometimes in his ball protection, but he understood the right movements to make during the last 15 days of training and I hope he can translate that onto the pitch as soon as possible.

His winning percentage

Statistics never lie! It’s true, we’re happy with our start to the season, but the league is not a sprint, it’s more like a 400m. We have 19 points after seven games, that’s huge, it means that everyone wants to beat us. We’re going to have to be careful because several big teams are waiting for us in the coming months, but we’re ready and physically fit to face them.