Takumi Minamino: "We learned a lot against Arsenal" | OneFootball

Having appeared 17 times this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists, the Japanese midfielder spoke at a press conference on the eve of the trip to Reims (Saturday, 9 p.m.).

He scored his first goal as a Monégasque in Reims, in September 2022. Since, Takumi Minamino has become a key member of the team and has appeared in 17 games this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists. On the eve of another trip to Champagne, the Japanese midfielder spoke at the press conference with the desire to pick up the three points. Extraits. 🎙️

The loss to Arsenal

I’m not really thinking of this defeat as one which will break our momentum, we learned a lot from that. The young players will gain experience from this kind of match. We still have to play two matches in the Champions League, so we’ll see what happens  .

His relationship with Keito Nakamura and Junya Ito

I haven’t contacted them yet, but I have a good relationship with them. I know they are in good fomr and that they are key players in the Reims squad. I am happy to be able to play against them.

Last season, during the Asian Cup, we watched the match between the two teams together. We lost so it’s a kind of revenge that’s in mind for me tomorrow night. I think Japanese fans will watch the game because they are also known in the country.

Il faut avant tout gagner les prochaines rencontres et rester proche de Paris. Nous devons être à 100% focus pour samedi. Si nous sommes meilleurs que l’an dernier ? Je l’espère. En tout cas nous devons le prouver et le montrer en fin de saison. Mais pour l’instant, il est trop tôt pour se prononcer.

The statistics

I think I’ve has a good start to the season (three goals and two assists, editor’s note). But as an offensive player, I want to have more goals or assists to help the team win the different matches we will play.

Close the gap with PSG

I hope so in any case, but we have to do several things first to achieve this. Above all, we have to win the next matches and stay close to Paris. We have to be 100% focused on Saturday. Are we better than last year? I hope so. In any case, we have to prove it and show it at the end of the season. But for now, it is too early to say.

On Maghnes Akliouche

When I arrived at the Club, I noticed him straight away, he was the best young player in the team. He has huge potential and he showed it last year against several teams. He is always humble, he is a good player but also a good person above all. I am sure he will have a good future so I am happy to be able to play with him.

On Eliesse Ben Seghir

He is one of the best players in the team, and while we certainly play in the same position, our profiles are different. He plays more in a style where he is glued to the touchline, asks for the ball and can create something at any time of the game. This competition is a good thing, because with our different profiles, the coach now has several options.

The schedule is not easy, especially this week because we have two away games. But as a professional footballer, these are normal things so we have to focus on ourselves, recover well and eat well.