MX23RW : Thursday, September 19 06:44:23| >> :120:30781:30781:
[monks data]
Monaco
Champions League | League Stage
Sep 19, 2024 at 8pm UK
Stade Louis II.
Barcelona logo

Monaco
vs.
Barcelona

Monaco lineup vs. Barcelona: Predicted XI for Champions League encounter

Could Balogun lead the line? Monaco predicted lineup vs. Barcelona
© Imago
Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Monaco could line up for their Champions League clash at home to Barcelona at the Stade Louis II on Tuesday.

Monaco manager Adi Hutter has multiple selection headaches ahead of his side's Champions League opener against Barcelona on Thursday.

The Ligue 1 side have made an excellent start to the campaign, taking 10 points from a possible 12, with Hutter utilising his healthy squad by rotating with great success.

Hutter made eight changes to his side for the clash with Lens before the international break from the one that beat Lyon in late August, before reverting back to that same XI for the trip to Auxerre on Saturday.

It was only a 93rd-minute Przemyslaw Frankowski penalty that denied them from taking three points against Lens, but reverting back to the same previous XI saw them beat Auxerre 3-0 at the weekend.

That may not guarantee an unchanged lineup here though, as Hutter did ring the changes following that impressive 2-0 win at Lyon.

Therefore, ex-Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun could be in contention to start, but also vying for a place in the starting XI is Swiss international Breel Embolo, and new signing George Ilenikhena.

In behind, Aleksandr Golovin returned to make his first start of the season at the weekend, and played an hour, but he also faces competition from Takumi Minamino, who has made a strong start to the season for club and country.

Eliesse Ben Seghir has been the standout star in attack though, as the 19-year-old looks set for a breakout season, having started in all four games, and being named Man of the Match against Lyon.

It is not just in attack where Hutter is spoiled for choice, as he has four viable centre-back options to choose from here.

Former Premier League duo Mohammed Salisu and Thilo Kehrer have featured most often, but Wilfried Singo and new signing Christian Mawissa Elebi started against Lens, with the latter going off before the visitors grabbed their late equaliser.

To trim the squad slightly, Monaco allowed Ismail Jakobs to join Galatasaray late in the window, so Caio Henrique should start at left-back, but youngster Kassoum Ouattara is also in contention.

Hutter has also received positive news as midfielder Lamine Camara has been released from concussion protocols after going off with a neck injury at Auxerre, but he will be assessed ahead of this one.

The only injuries for the home side ahead of this clash concern Edan Diop, who is recovering from a broken leg, and backup goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki.

Monaco possible starting lineup:
Kohn; Vanderson, Kehrer, Mawissa Elebi, Caio Henrique; Camara, Zakaria; Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir; Embolo

Click here to see how Barcelona could line up for this Champions League encounter

ID:553145:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5035:No Data Analysis info
Data Failed

Who will win Thursday's Champions League clash between Monaco and Barcelona?

Monaco
Draw
Barcelona
Monaco
9.9%
Draw
8.3%
Barcelona
81.8%
242
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Paris Saint-Germain's Lee Kang-in in action with Rennes' Desire Doue on April 3, 2024
Read Next:
Olympic football 2024: Three possible Chelsea transfer targets at Paris Games
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Bayern11003
2Celtic11003
3Aston Villa11003
4Dortmund11003
5Sparta Prague11003
6Juventus11003
7Liverpool11003
8Real Madrid11003
9Sporting Lisbon11003
10PSG11003
11Bologna10101
12Inter Milan10101
13Man City10101
14Shakhtar10101
15Arsenal00000
16Atalanta00000
17Atletico00000
18Barcelona00000
19B. Leverkusen00000
20Benfica00000
21Brest00000
22Feyenoord00000
23Monaco00000
24RB Leipzig00000
25Red Star00000
26Sturm Graz00000
27Girona10010
28AC Milan10010
29Lille10010
30PSV10010
31Stuttgart10010
32Brugge10010
33Salzburg10010
34Young Boys10010
35Slovan Bratislava10010
36Dinamo Zagreb10010


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!