Claude-Maurice: “Focused on the here and now”
Interview with the hat-trick hero
First Team
28.02.2025, 11:15
Alexis Claude-Maurice played a starring role in FC Augsburg’s 3-0 win in Mönchengladbach last weekend. In an interview, the 26-year-old spoke about the early days of his career in France, the differences between Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga and what he still hopes to achieve.
Claude-Maurice, who scored three times without interruption in the second half against Gladbach, has now found the back of the net nine times this season, in addition to contributing two assists. Hear what he had to say about…
…the current mood within the team:
“Everyone is feeling good, especially after having managed to remain unbeaten in each of our last seven games. We’ve worked hard and are proud of what we’ve achieved. But, we also know that we have to continue on in this manner. That’s why we’re fully focused already on our next game.”
…his previous experience in France:
“My time in France was interesting. There were a lot of great moments, but also some tough times. One of the biggest highlights was definitely the season I spent at RC Lens, where we finished second in Ligue 1, just one point behind PSG. It was an incredible season — we lost just once at home and won all of our remaining games. To share that experience with the fas was something special.”
…the differences between Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga:
“There are several differences, but I would say that players find themselves with more space in the Bundesliga, which means that there are more goals scored. There’s more of an emphasis on individual talent in Ligue 1, and on athleticism.”
…his first days in Augsburg:
“I arrived late in Augsburg and didn’t have a club before joining. That meant that I had to train on my own for a while before, which is obviously quite different from training with a team. The coach advised me to take the time to make sure that I was in top condition. I would have liked to have play straight away, but looking back, it was the right decision to take the time to adjust first.”
…his favourite goal from his hat-trick against Gladbach:
“Definitely the third one. As soon as I controlled the ball, I knew immediately what to do. I was certain that I’d manage to do it, and as soon as it went in, I was feeling very proud of myself.”
…the match ball from the game against Gladbach:
“I took the ball home with me, but it hasn’t been given a special spot just yet. Right now, it’s near my television. I was told that I can’t take it on an airplane, because it’ll explode. I’ll probably take it back to Paris by car at the end of the season, but not just yet — I don’t want to take any risks with it.”
…his first goal for FCA:
“I can still remember it perfectly. It was my second touch of the game — first shot, first goal. I was very happy, especially because I hadn’t played in a while. To then score with my second touch of the ball was a great feeling.”
…his personal goals for this season:
“I’m fully focused on the here and now. My only goal is to help the team win games.”
…what he hopes to achieve with FCA this term:
“I think the club can really achieve a lot. But, I’d rather focus on one game at a time. That’s how we’ve managed to go unbeaten in seven straight matches. I’m confident that we can still manage to achieve a lot.”
…his prediction for the game against Freiburg:
“I don’t have a specific prediction for this game, but I’m certain that we will be able to win it.”
