Maoulida targets repeat performance

By Jacques Valstar & Alex Chick

AS Monaco FC newcomer Toifilou Maoulida insists the club's summer signings have gelled in time for tonight's UEFA Champions League qualifier at Real Betis Balompié, despite a disappointing 2-0 home defeat by AJ Auxerre on Saturday.

New-look side
Maoulida and fellow summer signings Olivier Sorlin and Camel Meriem all failed to assert themselves as Didier Deschamps's new-look side fell to goals from Philippe Violeau and substitute Luigi Pieroni. But Maoulida believes they have settled quickly and Saturday's result was merely a blip.

'Little bit extra'
"Sorlin, [Olivier] Kapo and Meriem were with me in the France under-21 team. That helps us to integrate. Everything is perfect for me, but you have to work to incorporate six new players. I'll try to give that little bit extra," he told uefa.com. "It was a horrible defeat [against Auxerre]. It was difficult with ten men after the sending-off of Patrice Evra, Auxerre were on top and deserved the victory. We weren't at 100 per cent and we have to put that right against Betis."

Champions League debut
Maoulida is desperate for a first taste of Champions League action, having made three UEFA Cup appearances for Montpellier Hérault SC in 1999/00. Now, the left-sided attacker is set for a thrilling encounter between the French Ligue 1 third-placed finishers and the team which ended fourth in Spain.

Big games guaranteed
"Everyone dreams of playing in the Champions League. I haven't had the chance yet, but hopefully I'll do it on Tuesday. I just hope we qualify," said Maoulida. "All the teams in the Champions League are great, so we'll have some big games. Every player dreams of playing Real [Madrid CF], [FC] Barcelona, [AC] Milan or Chelsea [FC], and you have to do something special to get to play them."

'Attacking instinct'
The 26-year-old was in fine fettle at Stade Rennais FC last term, and his pace, eye for goal and crossing ability, convinced Deschamps to make his move. Once Maoulida knew of Monaco's interest, joining the club was an easy decision: "Deschamps is one of the best coaches in Ligue 1 - I like the way he talks," he said. "I think my high morale, attacking instinct and aggression convinced him."

Room for improvement
Maoulida has regularly displayed all three facets, scoring 19 goals and a clutch of assists over the last two seasons with FC Metz and Rennes. Yet he maintains he is not yet at his peak, saying: "I can only improve at Monaco. I'm doing everything to repay the faith Deschamps placed in me. I hope we can go a long way together."

Repeat performance
Memories of Monaco's stirring journey to the final in 2003/04 stay fresh in the minds of everybody in the principality, and help instill belief among the players that they can pull off a repeat. "It was magnificent," said Maoulida. "Let's hope for another campaign like that. It was a shame they didn't win it, but to beat Chelsea, Real and the rest - that was brilliant!"