“With all due respect to the French teams, Barcelona is obviously the biggest team at the start of our season.”. Adi Hütter played the frankness card when approaching the clash against Barça, marking the entry into the competition of theAS Monaco in this brand new Champions League format, this Thursday (kick-off at 9 p.m.).
“I don’t really need to motivate my players to play this match tomorrow. When the lights at the Stade Louis-II come on and you hear the Champions League anthem, I think that’s enough motivation, explained the Austrian technician.As a club, hosting FC Barcelona for the kick-off of the competition at home, we could hardly have dreamed of anything better. They are one of the best teams in the world, and we want to rub shoulders with the best teams, technically, tactically but also mentally. They love to play these kinds of matches!” .
Monaco with its vital forces
With which starting eleven will the Monegasques show up at Louis-II? With a team that is already well-oiled, Monaco should maintain its usual animation. A 4-2-3-1 system that has already proven itself on the domestic scene since the start of the season.
Embolo is expected to be at the forefront with a trio of Akliouche, Golovin and Ben Seghir to support him, unless the Japanese Minamino, who is also a candidate, is lined up from the start. The Zakaria-Camara tandem holds the road in midfield, in front of a Kehrer-Salisu central defense. Vanderson and Caio Henrique are expected on the wings. Köhn will take his place in the Monaco goals.
The expected line-up for Monaco : Köhn – Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Henrique – Zakaria (c), Camara – Akliouche, Minamino, Golovin – Embolo.
