Adi Hütter: "We are taking Union Saint-Jean very seriously" | OneFootball

Keen to end the year 2024 on a high note as AS Monaco enters the Coupe de France this Sunday against Union Saint-Jean (2:45 p.m.), the Monegasque coach spoke pre-match

Leave for the break with a lighter mind and qualification in hand. This is the objective of the Rouge et Blanc before the Round fo 64 of the Coupe de France scheduled for this Sunday at the Stadium de Toulouse against the Regional 1 team of L’Union Saint-Jean (kick-off 2:45 p.m.). In any case, this is what’Adi Hütter spoke about in a pre-match press conference.  🎙️

On the mood in the squad

Yesterday was a day off and today we meet to prepare for the match. I have the feeling that the players, despite the obvious disappointment of losing to Paris Saint-Germain. But tomorrow is another competition, our first round in this Coupe de France and it is obvious that we want to win this match. Moreover, we are taking all the players who are healthy, which shows how seriously we take this match.

About L’Union Saint-Jean

We know this team a little bit, even if we don’t have many matches at our disposal. The last one is the one against Versailles in the previous round. What we do know, however, is that they play in 4-4-2 in defensive phases and rather more in a 3-4-3 when they have the ball. We respect our opponent a lot by preparing for this match like any other, but it is certain that we will show our best in Toulouse to win this match.

I like this competition, which brings together nearly 6,000 or 7,000 teams in France, with eight rounds of matches before our entry into the competition. It's a great competition, and I have a lot of respect for these teams that have to go through so many rounds to face Ligue 1 teams or simply professional teams

We have some images that we will show to the team, even if the light and the angles are not optimal. But for us it is above all important to imagine the system that they are likely to put in place, even if I want to concentrate above all on my team.

About the Coupe de France

I like this competition, which brings together nearly 6,000 or 7,000 teams in France, with eight rounds of matches before our entry into the competition. It’s a great competition, and I have a lot of respect for these teams that have to go through so many rounds to face Ligue 1 teams or simply professional teams. But our goal is clear, the Coupe de France is also one of our main objectives for the season. So I can assure you that we are approaching this match seriously.

Losing against an amateur team

As a player, once we went out of the competition and it was a third division club. And in Germany, when I took over the Eintracht Frankfurt team, we lost in my first match on the bench against Ulm, who were playing in the fourth division. I remember it because I had replaced Niko Kovac who had just won this German Cup the previous season, and so I was eliminated in my first round in the competition.

Our goal is clearly to do everything to get to the final, in any case it has to be! And for that, we have to start by winning tomorrow’s match. All the clubs that are entering this competition want to win it, that’s obvious.

It’s football, but it’s the past, even if I have some memories of it. This competition is really special, and then it’s an opportunity to go and fight for a title. Our goal is clearly to do everything to get to the final, in any case it has to be! And for that, we have to start by winning tomorrow’s match. All the clubs that are entering this competition want to win it, that’s obvious.

On possible rotation

We will see during the match, but I repeat, we really take this meeting seriously. We will rotate the team slightly, but I don’t think there will be any big surprises. Our job is above all to produce the best possible match, because it is the last of the year 2024!

About Rouen last year

Our performance always depends on our attitude, how strong we are. I have a lot of respect once again for Union Saint-Jean who play in the sixth division, at amateur level.

I don't know the state of the Union Saint-Jean pitches, but it's definitely a big event for them to face AS Monaco at the Toulouse Stadium. In any case, I think it's an advantage for us, that's for sure.

When we recall the match against Rouen, With the atmosphere in the stadium, we had a bad game, missing penalties. So we have to be careful not to repeat that, but for me there is no debate, we want to qualify for the next round.

On playing at the Stadium

I don’t know the state of the Union Saint-Jean pitches, but it’s definitely a big event for them to face AS Monaco at the Toulouse Stadium. In any case, I think it’s an advantage for us, that’s for sure.

Expectations for the players

I expect us to approach this round of 64 in the same way as a league or Champions League match! It may seem crazy, but it’s normal in my opinion, we have to do the job. It all depends on us, our behavior when losing the ball, our reactions. That’s what I want to see from my team, the same approach, the same professionalism.

My assistant Christian Peintinger will lead the team tomorrow. I have total confidence in him, we work together every day and he was already the one replacing me when I was sick in Germany. I repeat, I have complete confidence in my technical staff.

On Lamine Camara

We are really happy that he is here. He was voted best young African player for the second year in a row, it is great for him as well as for us! It shows that we are working well with him. He is one of the young talents who came from outside the Club, like Christian Mawissa.

These are examples of players in French football that we want to bring to the highest level. Overall, we are very satisfied with Lamine’s progress, even if he can obviously improve in different areas. Which is not easy when you play three competitions, because you don’t have much time to work.

By the way, for your information, since I am suspended for this match, it is my assistant Christian Peintinger who will lead the team tomorrow. I have total confidence in him, we work together every day and he was already the one replacing me when I was sick in Germany. I repeat, I have complete confidence in my technical staff.