AS Monaco head coach Sébastien Pocognoli has provided his response to the widespread chatter surrounding the reaction of Ansu Fati to being hauled off over the weekend.
For those who may have missed it, on-loan Barcelona man turned heads across France this past Saturday.
Rewarded for his fine recent form in front of goal with a starting berth in Monaco’s Ligue 1 meeting with Angers, the 22-year-old was hauled off 20 minutes from time with his side in search of an opener.
Ansu made no attempt to hide his disappointment with as much, making his way straight to the bench without even acknowledging manager Sébastien Pocognoli.
Speaking to the media ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, Monaco’s new headmaster was therefore drawn on the situation.
And Pocognoli, in quotes cited by Diario Sport, was quick to defend Ansu in his response:
“I spoke to Ansu after the game. And he reacted in the right way. It is normal for a player to feel disappointed when they are traded. Beyond his clumsy reaction, these types of episodes tell me a lot.
“Changes are always made because there is a reason. Or tactical, physical or medical issues. Everything has an explanation and the players must understand it.
“With Ansu you have to work on emotional control. I’m not a coach who is obsessed with a hot reaction as long as the player adopts a correct attitude the next day. That was the case, so I’m not too worried right now.”
Conor Laird – GSFN
