Adi Hütter: "Show the same attitude as against Nice and OM" | OneFootball

With the desire to continue after a win against Marseille, the Austrian manager approached the duel against RC Strasbourg this Saturday (7 p.m.) with determination in a press conference.

Break away from the pack in the race for the podium. Authors of a high-flying performance last Saturday against Olympique de Marseille (3-0), our Rouge et Blanc got back on track for Champions League qualification. Determined to widen the gap, Adi Hütter spoke at a press conference two days before the match against Strasbourg (7 p.m.) 🎙️

Strasbourg have been unbeaten for several weeks, have won four of their last five matches, and were close to beating Nice last weekend. They are fresh, young, and in good form, but we are solid at home right now and we are also in good form.

Preparing for the match against Strasbourg

This will be a match between two teams that are playing at a high level and are currently in great form. Strasbourg have been unbeaten for several weeks, have won four of their last five matches, and were close to beating Nice last weekend. They are fresh, young, and in good form, but we are solid at home right now and we are also in good form.

The team’s good results at home

It’s sometimes difficult to find a specific reason for this. This season, we’re very happy with what we’re doing at home, but we’re struggling more away from home. We’re not happy about that, but we’re still in second place. It’s the opposite of last season and we finished well at home. There are three away games left, we will have to take the points no matter how. We are nevertheless fully focused on Strasbourg.

Is such a tight table a first for him?

I remember that during my first season at Frankfurt in 2018-2019, we were fourth after 32 matches. We then lost to Chelsea in the Europa League semifinal second leg, then were beaten by Mainz and Bayern. With these two results, we finished seventh and had to play in the Europa League qualifiers. So it was also very close.

This season, all the teams are far behind PSG, but several of them are playing for their Champions League qualification, and we are one of them. Saturday against Strasbourg is another opportunity to win, but to do so, we will have to put in a top performance.

There are five very important matches left, including Strasbourg on Saturday, who are only three points behind us. If we win, we'll widen the gap. To do that, we'll have to have the same attitude, the same behavior, and put in the same performances as against Marseille or as we had against Nice at home as to win, we'll need to do that.

A ‘free hit’ for qualification after Marseille?

No, because we only have one point more than Marseille. Beating us at home would have been a big step forward for them, but they lost, and now we have back that one point lead. We’re in a good position, nothing more.

There are five very important matches left, including Strasbourg on Saturday, who are only three points behind us. If we win, we’ll widen the gap. To do that, we’ll have to have the same attitude, the same behavior, and put in the same performances as against Marseille or as we had against Nice at home as to win, we’ll need to do that.

Is Strasbourg’s youth an asset?

A few months ago, we couldn’t have imagined that Strasbourg would be a threat to teams seeking to qualify for the Champions League. It’s a bit of a surprise; I like their style of play. They’re the youngest team in the league; their oldest players are only 25 or 26 years old, while the majority of them have an average age of 20 or 21.

Many of them play at a very high level, particularly in midfield, like Félix Lemarechal. Dilane Bakwa is a big threat, and we also know the speed of Emanuel Emegha. Left back Diego Moreira is also a good, fast player.

Félix Lemarechal’s development

I’m not really surprised by his development. When I arrived, I immediately saw that he had talent. He can sometimes struggle a little with his personality, but if you look solely at his qualities and skills, he’s a good player. He’s showing it now; he’s also very young and is in a perfect environment at his new club.

Denis Zakaria‘s season

I also feel that he is in good form after missing a few games due to injury this season. Now, he has found consistency in his performances at the best time. He is our captain, he has a leadership role and has just played two very good matches against Nice and Marseille.

(A “coach”  on the pitch?) Yes, because of his personality and his style of play, which allows us to win important duels. He’s also useful in transitions, and his speed helps us a lot. He’s also taken responsibility for penalty kicks. He’s one of the most important players in the squad, a leader. We’re very satisfied with what he’s doing and that he’s fully back.

Managing penalties

To be honest, we’ve missed too many this season. I feel like the safest choice is for Denis to be the penalty taker; he’s actually taken that responsibility recently. We’ll see what happens in the future. For me, it’s up to the players on the pitch to decide, because it depends on the situation. The designated player may sometimes not feel right at the time.

For a player like Lamine, it's perfect to have an experienced player alongside him. The two speak the same language and communicate a lot with each other. Lamine is able to play higher up the pitch because he likes to press and harass the opponent. Zak' is more of a defensive line protector with his speed.

How Denis Zakaria helps Lamine Camara

For a player like Lamine, it’s perfect to have an experienced player alongside him. The two speak the same language and communicate a lot with each other. Lamine is able to play higher up the pitch because he likes to press and harass the opponent. Zak’ is more of a defensive line protector with his speed.

The two have a good complementarity. I also do not forget Moatasem Al-Musrati and Soungoutou Magassa qThey do a good job whenever they play. I’m very happy to have four central midfielders of this quality.

On Jordan Teze and Kassoum Ouattara

Jordan was out for several weeks. He’s back now and training really well, but the competition is there with Krépin Diatta notably. He is versatile and can play in several positions, which is why he has a slight advantage. For Kassoum, it is a good opportunity to gain playing time with the Elite Group, he is young, it is necessary for him.

I’m currently facing a “rich man’s problem” of only being able to put 20 players on the match sheet. It’s obviously a disappointment for them, but they remain professional. I sometimes have to make difficult choices by not calling up a player who has done a good job during the week.