Champions League Preview: PSG-Bayern, Bødo/Glimt-AS Monaco
The Champions League league phase has reached the halfway mark -- learn what's in store for Ligue 1 McDonald's sides Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco on Matchday 4 as we preview their matches.
A striking dilemma for Luis Enrique
Simply put, given the form of each of these two sides (and the scintillating match they played in the Club World Cup in the summer), this is the standout tie of the matchday, and the Parc des Princes will be well up for a headline encounter as these two sides aim to maintain their perfect starts to the league phase.
After (another) brilliant late goal from Gonçalo Ramos against OGC Nice on Saturday, has the Portuguese striker done enough to lead the line against Bayern Munich? Despite both he and Ousmane Dembélé being in the squad, manager Luis Enrique is likely to call on Senny Mayulu to lead the line.
With Désiré Doué injured, but Fabián Ruiz fit again, Enrique has nearly a full-strength side upon which to call, but is likely to use the academy product, whom he went out of his way to praise pre-match, saying: "Senny Mayulu is a very important player for us. Not only because of his individual qualities, both technical and physical, but also because of his mentality and versatility."
With Mayulu an embodiment of the meritocratic approach to team selection that is typical of Enrique's approach, look for he and fellow academy product Warren Zaïre-Emery to both be included from the off as caution is taken with more veteran players.
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Already last-chance saloon for Monaco?
"We simply need to concentrate on the match, because we know it’s a very important game for us." AS Monaco defender Mohammed Salisu didn't mince words in today's pre-match press conference, and the Ghanaian may just about be right. Monaco have done well to date in the competition to grind out draws against the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, but with their final two matches of the league phase against heavyweights Juventus and Real Madrid, the Principality side is starting to run short of chances to pick up points.
While there has been an upturn in form under Sébastien Pocognoli, who took over from Adi Hütter earlier this season, a crowded treatment table continues to be problematic, especially at a point in the season where midweek matches are being played with regularity. With Ansu Fati (illness) joining a raft of long-term absentees, Monaco will have their work cut out for them, especially after a long trip, and will have to hope that their inconsistent attacking play looks sharper, as they've failed to score in two of their last four matches.
