Speaking following France’s 2-0 win over Austria in the Nations League last night, Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana expressed his happiness at being reunited with former Monaco man Aurélien Tchouaméni and playing alongside Benoît Badiashile – as transcribed by L’Équipe.
What were the instructions for you in this system?
“There was no real advice, the coach told us that we had already played together with Tchouaméni and that he expected this double pivot, one midfielder who goes up and the other who stays balanced. Aurélien and I have done it quite a few times, so it was natural and he quickly understood.”
The fact of playing next to Tchouaméni and in front of Badiashile, with whom you played or are playing in Monaco, did it help you not to doubt?
“Yes, for sure, it helped me a bit more. Afterwards, in this kind of event, we won’t always have our friends around, we’ll have to make it a different way.”
Speaking exclusively to GFFN’s Luke Entwistle, AS Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell spoke about the continuation of a “historic strategy” that allows young players to flourish at the Principality club and go on to represent their national sides. Asked about the first call-ups for Badiashile and Fofana, he said, “It definitely is a source of pride, not only for myself but for everyone who has been working tirelessly over the last couple of years to realign and re-engage a historic strategy. Monaco has always been an organisation that has developed players for the French national team.”
Find the full interview with Luke here.
GFFN – George Boxall
