This Friday, as part of Matchday 25 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain faced AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes. Denis Zakaria, Monaco’s midfielder, stopped in the mixed zone after Monaco’s 3-1 victory.
Zakaria: “We knew we could have gone through against Paris Saint-Germain”
Is it frustrating to think you could have gone through to the Champions League?
We knew we could have gone through against Paris Saint-Germain, but we shouldn’t dwell on regrets. However, it was important for us to get revenge for the previous match, and we did just that. We’re happy with this match, as I said before, she’s very happy with the victory.
Zakaria: “We knew it would be tough playing with 10 men against PSG.”
You finished with 11 men, and that made the difference?
Yes, I think it’s important to finish with 11 men; we knew it would be tough playing with 10 men against PSG. It definitely made the difference.
Zakaria: “We’re back to our best.”
Brilliant, yes. I think it was a very, very good match. I think we came here to take the three points, and today we played a great match and we’re happy with the three points.
How do you explain AS Monaco’s spectacular turnaround?
I think it was more the start of the season that wasn’t normal. I think that’s it, we’re back to our best. I think that’s the level AS Monaco should be at, and that’s how it should be. We’re going to work hard to continue like this and try to play the best matches possible until the end of the season.
Zakaria: “It’s clear that Balogun’s goal did us a lot of good.”
How did you experience the end of the match?
We know that it’s always difficult against PSG. Especially when there’s only a one-goal difference. After that, it’s clear that Balogun’s goal did us a lot of good. It allowed us to breathe. After that, it was easier to manage, but, well, overall we’ll remember the result and the victory in the end.
Zakaria: “The objective is one match at a time; we’ve already come a long way.”
Is the objective a top-four finish?
The objective is one match at a time. We’ve already come a long way, so we’re happy with the way we’re showing now, and we’re going to try to keep it up until the end of the season.
One match at a time to finish on the podium?
If possible yes, if we can do it yes, then as I said we really take it match by match and we try to be the best we can in each match and we’ll see where we are at the end.
