Date & Time: 19th September, 2024
Venue: Stade Louis II
Competition: UEFA Champions League 2024/25
Starting their season in outstanding form, the Catalans have secured 5 out of 5 victories in their first 5 games of the season. However, the focus of the season changes as Barca start off their 2024/25 Champions League campaign against AS Monaco, with both teams having yet to taste defeat this season.
Besides the obvious 3 points at stake, Barcelona head into this fixture with the intent to avenge the humiliating defeat they faced at the hands of Monaco in the Joan Gamper Trophy game.
Monaco’s Style of Play
Under the managerial talents of Adi Hutter, Monaco have begun to establish themselves as a powerhouse in French League football. Placing 2nd in the league last season, Monaco were the second best scoring team of the season and trailed PSG by only 13 goals despite having far inferior offensive talents.
This season, Monaco have seemed to struck the perfect balance between defense and attack. Undefeated thus far, Monaco have had the best defense in Ligue 1 where they have only conceded 1 goal in their only draw against Lens.
Despite having the 4th best goal scored total in Ligue 1, Monaco are only second to PSG in terms of Big Chances Created which is a testament to the fact that Hutter’s men have not been as prolific in front of goal as they should have been.
Barcelona, on the other hand, have scored the most goals by any team amongst Europe’s Top 5 Leagues. Hence, this promises to be a captivating encounter between Europe’s best scoring side and the team with the best defensive record in Europe.
Monaco’s Recent Form
Ever since their 3-0 triumph in the Joan Gamper match, Monaco have hit their stride and are currently in 3rd place in Ligue 1 where they are tied on points for 2nd place and only 2 points behind 1st.
In their 2 away games this season, Monaco were able to hand Auxerre a 3-0 defeat. However in Matchday 2, they were able to completely outclass the fairly competent team of Olympique Lyon with a 2-0 victory.
As for their home games, Monaco were able to secure a 1-0 win against Saint Ettiene and got their only draw against Lens with a score of 1-1. While they have not scored as much as they should have, Monaco have compiled a respectable total of 7 goals scored in these 4 games paired with an incomprehensible figure of 1 goal conceded in as many games.
Monaco’s Threatening Talents
As far as their frontline is concerned, Monaco will make use of either the talents of Breel Embolo or Falorin Balogun as their starting number 9. Both players are highly capable of testing the Barca defense and providing a goalscoring influence within the 90 minutes.
In midfield, Monaco can thrive on the creative presences of Takumi Minamino and Aleksandr Golovin to provide their frontline with opportunities to test the Barcelona backline. Both players are highly competent with playing between the lines and generating scoring chances with great frequency.
Furthermore, Denis Zakaria’s box to box presence in midfield allows Monaco to play with more freedom knowing that their Swiss Army Knife could make an impact in any aspect of their play whether it be through winning back the ball, retaining possession, or by making penetrating runs into the opposing box.
Defensively, the center back pairing of Mohammed Salisu and Thilo Kehrer have completely neutralised opposing attacking units. What stands out about this pairing is that they are equally good at winning duels both on the ground as well as aerially. Therefore, Barcelona may have their struggles in replicating their free flowing scoring that they have demonstrated in La Liga thus far.
Barcelona’s Expected Starting 11 against Monaco
Goalkeeper: Marc Andre Ter Stegen
Defenders: Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Alejandro Balde
Midfielders: Marc Casado, Pedri, Pablo Torre
Attackers: Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha
