Champions League Preview: Monaco vs. Red Star Belgrade

As the UEFA Champions League continues to heat up, AS Monaco will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they host Red Star Belgrade at the Stade Louis II on Tuesday. With both teams eager to secure crucial points, this clash promises to be an exciting encounter.

Match Preview

Monaco’s season has been nothing short of impressive so far. With ten games played and no losses to their name, they are keeping pace with the perennial powerhouse, Paris Saint-Germain, at the top of Ligue 1. Their recent match against Lille ended in a goalless draw, but it was a commendable performance considering they played with ten men for a significant portion of the game due to Jordan Teze’s red card. Despite this setback, Monaco managed to secure a valuable point, showcasing their resilience.

In their last Champions League outing, Monaco faced a daunting challenge against Dinamo Zagreb, where they found themselves trailing 2-0. However, they displayed remarkable determination, coming back to draw the match 2-2, thanks to a late penalty from Denis Zakaria. This performance, coupled with their earlier victory over Barcelona, has set the stage for Monaco to aim for an unbeaten start to their Champions League campaign for the first time since the 2016-17 season, a year that saw them reach the semi-finals.

On the other hand, Red Star Belgrade is currently enjoying a dominant run in the Serbian Super League, recently thrashing Radnicki Nis 5-1. However, their Champions League form tells a different story. The Serbian side has struggled in Europe, failing to win any of their last 12 matches in the competition, with 11 of those resulting in defeats. Their away form is particularly concerning, as they have lost their last 11 Champions League matches on the road, conceding a staggering 37 goals while scoring only six.

Historically, Red Star has not fared well in France, having never won a European fixture in the country across eight attempts, with each match resulting in at least two goals conceded. This daunting statistic adds to the pressure as they prepare to face a confident Monaco side.

Team News

Monaco will be without key players due to injuries. Mohammed Salisu picked up a muscle injury while on international duty, and Folarin Balogun is sidelined for two months after dislocating his shoulder. Despite Teze’s suspension for the next Ligue 1 match, he is expected to feature against Red Star. Coach Adi Hutter may also choose to rest some of his stars, having done so in their recent match against Lille.

In contrast, Red Star Belgrade has its own injury concerns. Mirko Ivanic and Ognjen Mimovic will miss the trip to Monaco, but there are no new injury worries following their recent victory. Goalkeeper Omri Glazer is likely to return to the starting lineup after being rested, while Luka Ilic, who scored a hat trick against Radnicki, could earn a starting spot.

Possible Lineups

Monaco:

• Kohn; Vanderson, Singo, Kehrer, Caio Henrique; Zakaria, Camara; Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir; Embolo

Red Star Belgrade:

• Glazer; Seol, Spajic, Drkusic, Djiga; Krunic, Elsnik, L Ilic; Silas, Ndiaye, Olayinka

Prediction

Given the current form of both teams, Monaco is heavily favored to secure a comfortable victory. Red Star’s dismal away record in the Champions League, combined with Monaco’s unbeaten streak, suggests that the home side will dominate the match.

Final Score Prediction: Monaco 4-1 Red Star Belgrade

Monaco’s attacking prowess should prove too much for Red Star, who will need to overcome their historical struggles in France if they hope to make an impact. With the stakes high in the Champions League, fans can expect an entertaining match filled with drama and excitement.

For more insights and analysis on this match and others, be sure to check out Sports Mole’s comprehensive coverage.