Thilo Kehrer: "The Centenary Match is something special!" | OneFootball

Captain at kick-off in the last match against Le Havre, the German central defender appeared at a press conference, two days before the match dedicated to the celebration of the Centenary against Montpellier (Saturday, 9 p.m.).

He wore the armband for the first time with AS Monaco. Captain at kick-off against Le Havre, Thilo Kehrer has become a key player since his arrival in the Principality last winter. After a goal in Auxerre, the central defender spoke at a press conference, two days before the reception of Montpellier (Saturday, 9 p.m.), with a the desire to take three points to celebrate the Club’s Centenary as it should be. 🎙️

About the team’s defensive performances

I think we manage to find a good balance between our offensive style of play, very active and involving taking risks, and the defensive side of things. This season, we have a good way of managing that, of keeping a certain stability in all circumstances. The ability to keep a balance is also what makes us stronger and allows us to score goals.

Already, the fact of participating in the Centenary season of your club is something very special. (...) In any case, everything that is being organized is very exciting, especially the presence of the Legends at the match against Montpellier and the celebrations planned on the sidelines. We will try to take all this positive energy and bring it back to the pitch.

On the Club’s objectives

We inevitably hear what is said about us and how we are perceived from the outside. But in truth, we are focused on our daily work, on what we have already produced and on what we need to improve. We are constantly working on ourselves and on what we can do better.

Then, our motivation is to always aim higher. But it is secondary honestly, because we do not focus on our expectations, our ambition. We try to focus on what drives us.

On 100 years for AS Monaco

Already, the fact of participating in the club’s centenary, It’s something very special. So if we continue to do what we’ve shown in the previous games, it will be really special!

In any case, everything that is being organised around this match is very exciting, especially the presence of the Legends at the match against Montpellier and the celebrations planned on the sidelines. We will try to take all this positive energy and bring it back onto the pitch.

Areas for improvement

These are details, which are linked to the work of the whole squad. We are a strong team collectively, in terms of offensive play in particular, combinations and playing with a certain speed and with constant pressure.

This is football, it goes very quickly and you have to be prepared for it. Things that happen are quickly forgotten, and you always have to look to the next fixture. You have to stay humble, keep your feet on the ground and concentrate on the work.

Thilo KehrerOn the risk of a drop-off

These are things that we see match after match, but sometimes we can do better in the organization, or even in our finishing, because we create a lot of chances. So it’s true that we could score more goals. It’s about doing our self-criticism each time, to continue to have better results. We can always improve!

About the risk of less good results

This is football, it goes very quickly and you have to be prepared for it. Things that happen are quickly forgotten, and you always have to look to the next fixture. You have to stay humble, keep your feet on the ground and concentrate on the work. Above all, you must not think that with the current results, you have the possibility of letting up. You have to continue to work well. Because if there is the slightest let-up, it will cost you dearly.

On communication with Philipp Köhn

Everyone has their own personality. There is no need to change it, because everyone is unique. On the pitch, in certain positions, there is sometimes a need to express yourself, to communicate. There are several ways to do it, through body language or through voice. And Philipp is doing it very well this season. He has progressed in the way he communicates, the way he expresses himself.

So he definitely has his part to play in the fact that the defense has stabilized, with the saves he can make, and in the security he exudes. Philipp has always been reliable since I’ve been here, he works every day in training and puts himself at the service of the team. And he responded when Radeck was absent due to injury.

On his status as vice-capitain

It is always an honour to wear the armband of a team.(against Le Havre last weekend), especially when it’s a club like AS Monaco. It goes with the responsibility that I want to assume this season. For the rest, it doesn’t change much for me, I try to bring my experience and my qualities to the team, to perform well and to have success collectively.

On the competition in the squad

We experience this very well in the locker room, we have a very competitive team. We have a great diversity of players with their own qualities. This helps us, because we also have very different opponents, which means that we can respond to each situation.

Je me sens bien avec tout le monde dans l’axe. (...) Ça ne change pas beaucoup pour moi, que je joue avec Wilfried ou Mohammed. Même avec Christian à l’entraînement, je me sens bien, car il apporte encore autre chose.

Thilo KehrerA propos de la complémentarité

The important thing is that everyone gets into their way of playing the game as soon as they have the opportunity to play. It’s going really well, especially since the coach has good communication with us, to explain his choices and why. That’s also why we have a good understanding between us and with the technical staff.

About complementarity

I feel good with everyone we have centrally. We have a very balanced and complementary team in terms of qualities, talent and experience. It doesn’t change much for me, whether I play with Wilfried (Singo) or Mohammed (Salisu). Even with Christian (Mawissa) in training, I feel good, because he brings something else.

You have to adapt to the characteristics of the players next to us. And that also requires us to strengthen communication between us, the fact of playing with different partners centrally. We have to know how to adapt.

About Montpellier

I think about their last match which they won against Auxerre at the very end (3-2), shows the characteristics of this team. It is an interesting team despite its place in the ranking, because they have quality players. We must respect this team and prepare well to be ready for Saturday’s match.