AS Monaco have a big test ahead as their out-of-form side must ensure a win over Juventus to stand a chance of keeping their playoff berth.
Sebastian Pocognoli has plenty of questions to answer about his utterly out-of-form AS Monaco side. The French giants are yet to win a game in 2026 in Ligue 1, while they are in the worst spell of their otherwise difficult season, where they ended a four-game losing streak with a goalless draw to Le Havre.
In the UEFA Champions League, Monaco sit 21st, following a thrashing at the hands of Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Matchday 7. The principality outfit currently sits a point above 24th place, as a win seems necessary to keep their chances of a playoff berth.
However, given their form and recent results, it is difficult to see that happening against a team like Juventus, while the teams below them could also determine where Pocognoli’s side stands after tomorrow night.
Juventus are not in any danger of bowing out of the Champions League basis of the result of the final group phase game. The Bianconeri are certain to qualify for the playoff rounds, although there is still a slim chance that they will slip into the top eight if they can win and results elsewhere go their way.
An In-form Juventus extended their winning run to five games, with a smashing victory over reigning Italian champions Napoli in Turin. They also moved up in the Champions League standings with a stellar result against Benfica last week.
Team News & Tactics
AS Monaco
Monaco have a long list of injured players out of the equation ahead of the upcoming Champions League clash. The headline maker on that list is Paul Pogba, who will be unable to face his former side, while Takumi Minamino, Lukas Hradecky and Mohammed Salisu are also out.
Christian Mawissa, Eric Dier, and Wout Faes are also injured, which does leave the manager with a selection headache of sorts. One player who will be key to Monaco’s chances is another former Juventus midfielder in Denis Zakaria, who will pair up with AFCON winner Lamine Camara in those central areas for Monaco.
Aleksandr Golovin will assume the attacking midfield role, flanked by Maghnes Akliouche and Ansu Fati, while Folarin Balogun will lead the line for AS Monaco against Juventus on Wednesday night.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kohn; Ouattara, Kehrer, Teze, Henrique; Zakaria, Camara; Akliouche, Golovin, Fati; Balogun
Juventus
Luciano Spalletti will also be without a handful of his first-team stars ahead of this trip to Monaco. Apart from Dusan Vlahovic, Daniele Rugani and long-term absentee Arkadiusz Milik, the visitors are also missing Jonas Rouhi and Carlo Pinsoglio from action ahead of this midweek clash.
Beyond that, Spalletti will be able to put up another strong side to contend against AS Monaco, with key man Kenan Yildiz one of the sure starters for Juventus.
Gleison Bremer and Lloyd Kelly will continue their growing partnership at the heart of the defence, with Pierre Kalulu and Andrea Cambiaso stationed in the full-back roles. Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram remain the mainstay in midfield, while Fabio Miretti could assume the attacking midfield duties.
Weston McKennie continued to show his versatility by assuming multiple roles in the side, as he could be preferred in the attacking third off the right-hand side. With Yildiz on the left, Jonathan David might be the preferred choice to lead the line, while Lois Openda could be stationed on the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; McKennie, Miretti, Yildiz; David
Key Stats
- AS Monaco have conceded three or more goals in each of their last two home fixtures.
- AS Monaco are unbeaten in their last three home games in the UEFA Champions League.
- Juventus are undefeated in their last five matches against AS Monaco across all competitions.
- Juventus are on a five-game winning streak across all competitions.
- Aleksandr Golovin created six chances against Real Madrid on Matchday 7, becoming just the fourth AS Monaco player on record since 2003/04 to create 6+ chances in a UEFA Champions League game, along with Jerome Rothen (3 times), Thomas Lemar and Caio Henrique. It was the most Golovin had ever created in a match in the competition.
Player to Watch
Jonathan David
Juventus recently tried to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta, which was a clear indicator that the club wanted to strengthen the centre-forward department. While they have cooled their interest in the Frenchman, it is also an indication of faith in their striker David, who has been turning up in games of late.
The Canadian international has a goal contribution in each of Juventus’s last three Champions League games, while also finding himself on the scoresheet against Napoli. The game against AS Monaco is another chance for him to build momentum against a familiar opposition, given that he spent a considerable period in Ligue 1.
Prediction
AS Monaco 1-3 Juventus
Monaco are in a difficult run of form, but will surely rely on their three-game unbeaten run at home in the UEFA Champions League. However, the manner of their defeat at the hands of Real Madrid exposed plenty of defensive problems that Juventus might have picked up in their viewing of the opposition.
Juventus are on a five-game winning run in all competitions, and they are widely expected to add another one to the tally. They are superior in all aspects to AS Monaco, and could get a top win to boost their chances of finishing in the top eight, although a playoff spot is all but guaranteed.
