Monaco and Juventus meet at Stade Louis-II on Wednesday night in a pivotal UEFA Champions League group-phase clash.
Juventus will look to secure the three points from this final UCL group phase match and give themselves a chance to qualify directly to the last 16.
Monaco, on the other hand, cannot qualify directly for the last 16 even with a win. However, a positive result is needed to avoid the risk of elimination.
Monaco vs Juventus – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 28th January.
- Kick-off: 8pm BST.
- Venue: Stade Louis II, Monaco.
Monaco team news
Monaco come into this decisive night with a lengthy injury list that has shaped Sébastien Pocognoli’s selection in recent weeks. Former Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba remains sidelined with a knee/calf problem. Takumi Minamino is also out with a knee ligament issue.
At the back, first-choice goalkeeper Lukas Hrádecký is unavailable with a knee injury, meaning Philipp Köhn is expected to continue in goal after recent starts in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League. Krepin Diatta is only just back from AFCON duty and recent muscle problems, and is not expected to start, while Vanderson and Ansu Fati have returned from layoffs and offer important options in wide areas.
Centre-backs Mohammed Salisu (cruciate ligament) and Christian Mawissa (hamstring) are still long-term absentees, while January injuries to Eric Dier (thigh) and Wout Faes (ankle) against Le Havre have further reduced Pocognoli’s options in central defence.
Juventus team news
Juventus travel to the Principality in far better shape, though Luciano Spalletti still has some notable absentees. Dusan Vlahovic is out following recent surgery on an adductor problem, leaving summer signing Jonathan David to lead the line. Centre-back Daniele Rugani (calf) and forward Arkadiusz Milik (long-term knee issues) are also sidelined.
Michele Di Gregorio has established himself as the first-choice in goal, with Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer and Lloyd Kelly forming the back line, and Andrea Cambiaso offering energy and width from full-back.
In midfield, Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram provide balance behind Weston McKennie, who has been pushed into a more advanced role and scored in each of his last three Champions League appearances.
Kenan Yildiz has emerged as a key attacking threat, with Spalletti joking that the Turkish international is “an alien” amid his growing influence. Jonathan David, meanwhile, scored and assisted across the 2-0 win over Benfica and 3-0 victory against Napoli, drawing both praise and challenge from his coach: “He has quality, everyone can see that…but he needs more determination, more ferocity.”
Form
Monaco
Monaco’s heavy 6-1 loss at Real Madrid left them on nine points from seven Champions League games and snapped a run of improved European results, though they remain unbeaten at home in this season’s competition after drawing with Tottenham and Manchester City, and beating Galatasaray at Stade Louis-II. They are currently sitting in 21st in the Champions League table with nine points.
Juventus
Juventus arrive on the back of three straight Champions League victories – against Pafos, Bodø/Glimt and Benfica – and a statement 3-0 home win over Serie A champions Napoli, a result that consolidated their top-four push and extended their unbeaten home league record. They are currently 15th in the UCL table with 12 points.
Predicted lineups
Monaco: Kohn; Vanderson, Kehrer, Teze, Henrique; Camara, Zakaria; Akliouche, Fati, Golovin; Balogun.
Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; David.
How to watch Monaco vs Juventus?
In the UK, Monaco vs Juventus will be broadcast live on discovery+/TNT Sports.
Read Also – Aston Villa in Juventus transfer talks following fresh injury blow
See More – Man United dealt major blow following Arsenal win
