Monaco-PSG: Pocognoli's side look to pull off "surprise" against reigning European champions
Sébastien Pocognoli has conceded that AS Monaco head into their UEFA Champions League play-off against remaining champions Paris Saint-Germain as the underdog, however, the Belgian added that he and his side head into the game with "belief", having evoked his side's ability to "surprise" over the weekend.
Monaco PSG's bogey team
There is reason for "belief". Whilst PSG are in the race for the title in Ligue 1 McDonald's and are looking to retain their title in the Champions League, Monaco sit eighth in the league and have struggled for rhythm this season, amid a persistent injury crisis. On the face of it, there is a clear favourite, and whilst Pocognoli admitted as much on the eve of Tuesday's clash, Monaco's record against PSG is strong.
Les Monégasques beat PSG in Ligue 1 McDonald's earlier this season, thanks to a goal from Takumi Minamino (1-0). That was the Principality club's seventh win over Les Parisiens during the QSI era. The only team that have a better record against the reigning Ligue 1 champions is Stade Rennais (9).
AS Monaco-PSG. The Champions League race is on ✨ pic.twitter.com/IcU9epQXQk
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) February 17, 2026
It is the Breton club's win over Luis Enrique's side on Friday that leaves his side needing to show a reaction at the Stade Louis II on Tuesday night. "We are used to overcoming these situations. We would have liked to arrive here with a win, that is true, but the UCL is coming and we have to play the same opponent home and away. We are motivated," said the Spaniard.
Monaco are motivated, too. "I think that the players are eager to play a great game and give themselves a chance for the return leg," said Pocognoli. Club captain Denis Zakaria added, "If we are not at 100% and we don't play a perfect game, it will be tough for us [...] they'll come to win and it will be difficult."
PSG's promising precedent
Luis Enrique said that playing a fellow French side doesn't make a difference to how PSG prepare for the game against Monaco. "What I hope is to see the best version of PSG," he added. And that version was on display last season, when Les Parisiens also faced Ligue 1 McDonald's opposition in the UCL play-off.
On that occasion, it was Brest, and it was a tie that set PSG on course for glory. Having beaten Les Ty-Zéfs 3-0 in the first leg, PSG then beat them 7-0 at the Parc des Princes in the second. The 10-0 aggregate victory sent out a warning shot, one not heeded by their European rivals as they would go on to win the whole competition.
This season, it is a Monaco side, buoyed by a return to form, who stand in their way, but who have their own designs of reaching the Round of 16, as was their stated objective at the start of the season.
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