Pre-match statements

Julien Stéphan

Group update
« No-one has been ruled out for the time being. Henrick Meister didn't train for the last two days because of a knock to his knee. And we've got some players, notably Jota and Andrés Gómez, who are on their way back and have done a few sessions, but not a full week yet. We'll see on Friday if they can be included in the squad. »

The opponent
« They're certainly the most athletically gifted team in terms of power. It's a team that creates a lot of movement inside the game, with forwards who are close together, who combine and who attack from deep. They're a complete Champions League team. The players who played 90 minutes on Wednesday will certainly be a little tired. There were also two changes at half-time and four players who played 45 minutes. But they're a strong squad, so they'll be able to rotate a lot of players. »

One of the keys to success against Monaco
« It will be vital to withstand the intensity. They're a very powerful, intense team. We're going to have to hold our own against them. They're a very strong team in terms of their tactics and the way they play. But it's also a team against which we want to do things. I can assure you that we're all aware that we need to do better and show more. And that's going to start on Saturday against Monaco, in terms of what we produce with the ball and how we defend. We have to show signs of progress at every match. »

Analysis of the Paris match
« We had two long video replays of Friday's match. There were few things that worked in our game, it has to be said. We didn't get the ball out well, we didn't control it well enough. We didn't make the most of the balls we did get. We also got caught out a lot in transition when we lost the ball. We worked on all those aspects of the game, because we'll have to do a lot better in Saturday's match against Monaco. »

Albert Grønbæk 
« He's made a very positive start to the season and we saw that straight away. He's arrived very fresh and very motivated. The challenge we have with Albert is that he started his season in February (in Norway) and will finish it in May. So he's going to have to perform well for a year and a half, which is extraordinary. And there's an additional factor now, which is that he's an international and we won't be able to give him the rest he needs during the breaks. We have to adjust certain things, and that explains why from time to time he'll miss certain games, and maybe he won't start certain games either. I've already discussed this with him. »

 

Albert Grønbæk 

His arrival in Rennes
« I'm feeling really good. I have French lessons every week, and I'm starting to understand the language well. I get on very well with my team-mates and the coaches. I've also been made to feel very welcome by the fans. That's really good. »

The link with supporters
« The bond with the fans is great, especially when we play at home. They really help us to keep attacking and score goals. They give us something extra and the atmosphere is really good. I want to show them that I'm good enough and that I can make a contribution to the team. »

His first impressions of the French championship
« I'd say it's a much more physical championship. The game is faster and the players are more solid. I was a bit surprised at first, but now I feel good about it. I'm very calm about it. »

His impression of his first matches
« I think I can improve my statistics and be a bit more skilful in front of goal. I really want to keep attacking and being aggressive, helping my team by scoring and making assists. I also think I'm capable of stalling when I need to. »

His understanding with his team-mates on the pitch
« There are several players with whom I have a good connection on the pitch: Amine Gouiri, Ludovic Blas, Glen Kamara, Arnaud Kalimuendo... All attacking players in fact. I'm sure we have a lot of potential together. Of course there are a lot of new players, and it's early in the season. But I feel that we're gradually bonding, and I hope that in the coming games we'll find each other more easily. But we're already making good progress. »

His change of dimension on arriving at Rennes
« I'm going to be called up for Denmark for the second time. So taking the next step by joining Rennes has been the best choice for my career so far. Every day, I'm excited about going to training, we're working hard and I'm happy to have come here. »

His preferred position
« Wherever the coach tells me to play (laughs). I feel better on the left, as a number 8 or 10. But there's no particular position where I'd flourish more. »