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UCL Preview: AS Monaco-Barcelona
An in-form opponent
Despite beating Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Trophy in preseason, Hütter knows that it would be foolish to think of that match as a measuring stick for this encounter, despite a 3-0 win in Catalonia for his side. Speaking pre-match, he said "We can't compare these two games in my opinion. Since our victory against Barcelona in a friendly, they have had a fantastic start to the season, with five wins in as many La Liga games and already scoring 17 goals, an average of three goals per game."
That scoring form has been down in part to Robert Lewandowski, the former Bayern Munich striker rolling back the years with four goals, while youngster Yamine Lamal, one of the stars of this summer's European Championships, has chipped in with four assists and three goals. With these two in top form, Barça will indeed be dangerous, but manager Hansi Flick will also to have manage some absences, with summer signing Dani Olmo and fellow midfielders Frenkie De Jong and Gavi among those unavailable -- he is likely to start the relatively Marc Casadó in midfield in their place, perhaps giving the hosts hope their opponents can be found out.
The day has arrived! 🤩❤️🤍
A new European journey starts today, are you ready? Because we absolutely are 😏 pic.twitter.com/HRy9K89jq2— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) September 19, 2024
Timely returns
Monaco, for their part, will have only one major absence, in the form of goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki. In his place, though, Philipp Köhn has impressed, with the Monégasques having conceded just once in Ligue 1 McDonald's to date. With a renewed sense of solidity, and some timely returns from injury, Hütter is quietly confident, as he'll rely on those players, as well as the team's young talents, saying "Today we have... Eliesse Ben Seghir, Maghnes Akliouche and Lamine Camara who are not yet very well known in Europe. But this campaign is a good opportunity for them to present themselves."
As well as that trio, the team have recently welcomed the returns of Caio Henrique and Aleksandr Golovin from injury. One of the team's most influential attacking players, Golovin is a real threat from set pieces, while Henrique, as an attack-minded left back, will be key to supporting his teammate's play on the flank. Given the status of Barçelona in the global game, there's never any easy time to play a side of their stature, but the Monégasques look ready to give it their all at the Stade-Louis II tonight!
Predicted lineups:
AS Monaco (4-2-3-1): Köhn; Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Caio Henrique; Zakaria, Camara; Akliouche, Minamino, Golovin; Embolo
FC Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Koundé, Cubarsí, Martínez, Baldé; Casadó, Pedri; Yamal, Torres, Raphina; Lewandowski
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