Kevin Volland keeps Monaco on track

“His reputation is growing inside and outside our group”.

Niko Kovac is counting on a Kevin Volland in great shape to guide Monaco against Saint-Etienne on Wednesday in Ligue 1 (9 p.m.), and help the Principality club, 7th with 26 points, to find the top.

In Dijon on Sunday, without the German's sixth goal of the season, Monaco might not have won (0-1).

Perfectly served by Wissam Ben Yedder, the German scored for the first time this season away.

At the end of the meeting, Niko Kovac wanted to salute the behavior of his two stars.

"Kevin Volland and Wissam Ben Yedder brought in offensively and defensively," he said.

But of the two, it is more the German who currently supports the group.

Since the last international truce, moreover.

Since Wissam Ben Yedder, affected by Covid-19, hastily returned from his internship with the France team.

The Frenchman has since had a hard time getting back to his best physical level.

And Volland took matters into his own hands, never straying from his collective spirit.

As when he mentions his victorious goal in Dijon, after "a game with one touch of the ball which reflects the quality of this team and symbolizes the automatisms that are created between us," he said.

The former Bayer Levekusen player has gradually adapted to his new club and after the slap in Lyon (4-1), he was refocused by Kovac.

"At the beginning, I made him play winger, he can evolve in this position but his best place is number 10 or 9"

Niko Kovac

“At the beginning, I made him play winger, he can evolve in this position but his best place is number 10 or 9, justifies his coach.

After being replaced in the axis, he was able to demonstrate his great qualities. "

“It took me a little while at the start, humbly admits the German today.

I was not at my best.

Everyone has seen it.

Gradually, I felt better.

We also all got to know each other better. ”

If it was necessary to highlight a key moment, it would certainly be his double against Paris SG (3-2) on November 20.

Just before receiving the vice-champion of Europe, Kovac specified: “I expect him to show the same qualities as in Germany.

I know he can do it, I have no fear. ”

“With Wissam, we are on the right track.

We get along well in the locker room and on the pitch.

We complement each other well because we are different. ”

Kevin volland

Volland responded present.

Now, with six goals, including four in the past month, and three assists, he is ramping up.

To the point of being indestructible.

“He will become a leader, for sure,” announces Kovac.

Its good performances are multiplying.

In my opinion, he deserves to play the Euro with the German national team. ”

At 28, the striker is more circumspect about this.

“The Euro?

I am realistic.

It will be very hard, ”he warns.

“Joachim Löw has tested many players this last season in friendlies.

The team will have a very good tournament.

There are some very good young people.

Of course, it's always the best to play in the national team.

But if you are not selected for four years, you have to be realistic and focused on your club.

Yet I have been good for the past four years ... "

And if he goes to the Euro (June 11-July 11), why not meet Ben Yedder there during the France-Germany clash in the first round?

Volland strives in any case to make his French partner shine.

“With Wissam, we are on the right track,” he says.

We get along well in the locker room and on the pitch.

We complement each other well because we are different.

But we can and we will still progress. "

Because “both are team players, appreciates Kovac.

Both have the right attitudes.

They have already been decisive passers for each other (...) There is no egoism in their game, ”concludes the Croatian coach.

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