Manchester City are gearing up for a compelling UEFA Champions League encounter as they head to the French Riviera to take on AS Monaco. While Monaco’s European ranking might not raise many eyebrows—currently sitting 34th out of 36 in the group stage standings—their domestic form in Ligue 1 tells a different story. With just three points separating them from table-toppers Paris Saint-Germain, this midweek fixture is shaping up to be far more competitive than the numbers might suggest.
A Rare But Memorable Fixture
This match marks only the second-ever meeting between Manchester City and Monaco. The first came during the Round of 16 in the 2016/17 season—a high-scoring thriller that ended 6-6 on aggregate, with Monaco advancing on away goals. Despite City’s 5-3 win at the Etihad, a 3-1 loss at Stade Louis II knocked them out, delivering one of the few early Champions League exits in Pep Guardiola’s storied managerial career.
Should City suffer another defeat in Monaco, it would mark just the third time Guardiola has lost his first two away fixtures against the same opponent—Barcelona and Liverpool being the only others.
Monaco’s Solid Home Record vs English Clubs
City won’t find it easy at Stade Louis II. Monaco have an impressive home record against Premier League sides in Champions League play, losing just once in seven matches. That lone defeat came against Arsenal back in 2015. The principality club has claimed five wins and one draw in those other six games, giving them plenty of reason to be optimistic.
Adding an emotional layer to the fixture, City captain Bernardo Silva returns to the club where he rose to prominence before joining Guardiola’s squad in 2017. Since leaving Monaco, Silva has become a cornerstone at City, tallying over 400 appearances and 17 trophies.
Monaco’s Recent European Struggles
Despite their strong Ligue 1 form, Monaco have faltered in European competition. They’ve secured just one win in their last seven Champions League matches, with five of those ending in defeat. Their 2025/26 campaign began with a humbling 4-1 home loss to Club Brugge—one of three recent matches in which they’ve lost by a margin of three goals or more.
That defensive vulnerability will be of particular concern as they prepare to face a red-hot Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker has scored nine goals in his last seven games and will look to feast on a leaky Monaco backline that has conceded 12 goals in their last five matches.
City’s Attacking Threats and Foden’s Influence
Alongside Haaland, Phil Foden is another player Monaco will need to watch closely. The English midfielder created eight chances in City’s opening group game against Napoli—the most in a UCL opener since 2021. His creativity, paired with Haaland’s lethal finishing, could spell trouble for a Monaco side still searching for defensive cohesion.
Ansu Fati and Monaco’s English Connections
On the other side, Monaco have some attacking weapons of their own. Ansu Fati, currently on loan from Barcelona, is showing signs of resurgence. Once hailed as Messi’s heir, Fati is hoping to rediscover his spark in France. Joining him are forwards Folarin Balogun and Mika Biereth—both of whom have English football experience through Arsenal—while Eric Dier brings Premier League pedigree from his Tottenham days.
However, Monaco will be without several key players, including Paul Pogba and Lamina Camara. Camara, who stood out in their loss to Brugge with 15 line-breaking passes and 10 ball recoveries, is sidelined—a big blow to their midfield stability.
Rodri’s Absence a Blow for Guardiola
Manchester City also have injury concerns. Star midfielder Rodri is expected to miss out due to a lingering knee issue that also kept him out of the Burnley match. His absence is significant—he produced 17 line-breaking passes against Napoli, the second-highest for any midfielder during the opening round.
Other squad doubts include Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Abdukodir Khusanov. While City have depth, Guardiola would undoubtedly prefer a full-strength lineup, especially given their recent struggles away from home in Europe. The reigning champions have lost their last four Champions League games on the road—an uncharacteristic run that needs correcting.
High Stakes and High Expectations
Though it’s still early in the group stage, both teams know how critical a win could be—not just for points, but for momentum. With attacking talent on both sides, the match promises excitement, but expect a more pragmatic approach from both managers as they look to secure a crucial result.
