Following their 1-0 loss away to AS Monaco last November, it's fair to say that Les Parisiens haven't exactly found the Stade Louis II to be a happy hunting ground in recent seasons. In fact, over the course of their last six trips to the Rock of Monaco, they have picked up just one win together with one draw and four defeats.
Two-and-a-half months later, then, Luis Enrique's men will be out to get revenge over Les Rouge et Blanc and, in doing so, to put one foot into the UEFA Champions League's round of 16 ahead of the second leg at the Parc des Princes next Wednesday.
2 – Les Parisiens have won both of their previous two UCL matches against a fellow French side, having beaten Brest 7-0 and then 3-0 in the two legs of their knockout phase play-off last season.
4 – Les Monégasques have avoided defeat in each of their last four Champions League home games and have even kept a clean sheet in each of the last three.
11 – 11 different players have scored for Paris in the Champions League this season (excluding own goals), which is the highest such total of any team in the competition.
Between the sticks, in the absence of the highly experienced Lukas Hradecky due to injury, Monaco coach Sébastien Pocognoli will be able to rely upon former Salzburg stopper Philipp Köhn. In central defence, however, the ASM boss's injury woes are much worse, with Mohammed Salisu, Eric Dier, Christian Mawissa and winter loan signing Wout Faes all sidelined. Thankfully for the Belgian, Les Rouge et Blanc's strength in depth means that he can count upon versatile Netherlands international Jordan Teze to start alongside former Paris man Thilo Kehrer, who has made 61 appearances across all European competitions in his career so far.
Another player with versatility in his locker is Denis Zakaria, who will be expected to play slightly deeper than usual to complete a three-man defence for his side. In the full-back positions, meanwhile, Les Monégasques present a clean bill of health with the exception of France under-21 international Kassoum Ouattara, meaning that Brazil internationals Caio Henrique and Vanderson will be the favourites to start on either side of the back line, although the latter of the two may face competition from 2025 AFCON winner Krépin Diatta, who possesses a more attack-minded profile.
In midfield, another of Senegal's recent African champions, Lamine Camara, is likely to feature from kick-off. The ex-Metz man is one of his team's most vital components and will probably be supported in the middle by Mamadou Coulibaly, while the promising 19-year-old Aladji Bamba may make a substitute appearance. Paul Pogba, however, will take no part in tomorrow night's match as he is ineligible.
In attack, Pocognoli may have to weigh up Aleksandar Golovin's 62 career appearances in Europe against Ansu Fati's eight goals across all competitions this season – not to mention the explosive Simon Adingra, who joined the club on loan from Sunderland in the winter transfer window – in order to decide who should start on the left wing for his side.
Finally, despite Takumi Minamino's injury-enforced absence, the principality outfit has no shortage of quality up front. France international Maghnes Akliouche is expected to start on the right flank as the main threat to the Paris rearguard, while there's fierce competition for the centre-forward position between Mika Biereth and former Reims striker Folarin Balogun. Although it's Balogun who appears to have the upper hand, Les Parisiens know that they'll be up against an attacking line with numerous strengths either way.
