Monaco’s trip to Roazhon Park takes place in a climate full of expectation, almost impatience. For several days, the Principality club has been living to the rhythm of the possible return of Paul Pogba, whose simple presence in the group was enough to create the event. Sébastien Pocognoli, for his part, had to decide between sporting caution and a strong symbol, while dealing with a still substantial list of absentees. The announcement of the starting lineup was therefore scrutinized with unusual attention.
Pogba will start as a substitute
The verdict is in: Paul Pogba will not start. Despite returning to the squad after finally overcoming his ankle injury, the Monegasque coach chose caution. Three years without playing and two years of suspension impose a progressive pace that the staff refuses to burn. His presence among the substitutes, however, leaves a door ajar: if the scenario allows it, a few minutes at the end of the match are not excluded, a symbolic but expected step towards a real return.
Conversely, Denis Zakaria signs his return directly to the eleven. Recovered from his adductor injury, the Swiss regains a central role and even the armband, symbol of intact leadership. This balance between graduated management for Pogba and immediate confidence for Zakaria illustrates Pocognoli’s new guideline: securing the midfield while taking care of his returnees. The rest of the eleven is part of this logic, with the objective of finding a reliable structure.
Zakaria back, a realistic eleven
The eleven aligned by Monaco is as follows: Hradecky – Teze, Kehrer, Salisu – Diatta, Coulibaly, Zakaria (cap), Ouattara – Akliouche, Ilenikhena, Fati. A team which combines defensive stability, offensive youth and profiles capable of resisting the intensity of Rennes. The absences still weigh as much: Diatta (concussion), Vanderson and Mawissa (hamstrings), as well as Salisu (knee) are missing. Eric Dier, close to a return, has relapsed and will be sidelined for several more weeks. In attack, Balogun serves his suspension.
For Monaco, this meeting represents as much a sporting test as a strategic marker. The choice to leave Pogba on the bench confirms a long-term approach, without unnecessary risk, but also a step forward: he is fit, he is in the group, and the time to see him in competition again is approaching. The coming weeks will tell whether this prudent management will finally allow the French midfielder to emerge from the tunnel. For now, it is Zakaria who embodies the immediate renewal of a still fragile collective.
