Monacovs.Nantes

Adi Hutter's side fell to defeat in the most important game of their season in the Champions League on Wednesday, after falling out of the Ligue 1 top three last weekend.

Match preview

Another poor result in midweek means Monaco are on the brink of elimination from the Champions League, after losing 1-0 at home to Benfica.

That was Monaco's sixth loss in 10 since the turn of the year, and three defeats in six Ligue 1 games means they now find themselves outside the automatic UCL places for the first time since August.

It is hard to find an explanation for Monaco's drop off, given that they had lost just three of their previous 18 league games before this barren run, but the most glaring issue is at the back.

Monaco are still scoring with regularity, but they are shipping goals at an alarming rate, with only Reims (15) having conceded more in 2025 than they have (12).

Especially at the Stade Louis II, goal fests have been frequent, with Monaco scoring and conceding at least twice in their last three games here, and a similar scoreline would see them become the first Ligue 1 team in over four decades to manage that in four straight home matches.

Nantes could be welcome opponents though, considering they are the team that they currently have the longest unbeaten run against in Ligue 1, losing none of the last 13 meetings.

With trips to Benfica and Lille to come in the next seven days, it is vital Hutter's side keep that run going, to build confidence, and to maintain their spot in the top four.

Nantes have lost more Ligue 1 matches against Monaco than they have against any other side (47), and this is not the ideal time to play them, on the back of a home defeat last weekend which has left them in relegation trouble.

With 21 points from their opening 21 games, the only two previous occasions Nantes have had as few points at this stage of a season, they were either relegated (2006-07) or survived thanks to the relegation playoff (2020-21).

Despite that, Antoine Kombouare's men remain three points above the drop zone, even though they were beaten 2-0 by Brest a week ago.

The three defeats the Canaries have suffered in their last 11 games have all been against Brest, who completed the league double over them with last week's win, and the Pirates also dumped them out of the Coupe de France last month.

It is likely another side will taste success against Nantes in the coming weeks though, because their next three fixtures are all against clubs in the top seven - Monaco, Lens and Marseille.

Some positives Nantes can take into this game is that they have collected more points on the road (11) than they have at home (10) this season, and even though they are just one place above the relegation zone, a win paired with some favourable results elsewhere could move them up to 11th.

Monaco Ligue 1 form:

L

D

L

W

W

L

Monaco form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

L

L

Nantes Ligue 1 form:

D

D

D

D

W

L

Nantes form (all competitions):

D

L

D

D

W

L

Team News

Monaco will be without midfielder Soungoutou Magassa due to suspension here, but Lamine Camara was back in the squad in midweek, and Al Musrati, who was sent off on his full debut against Benfica, will not be banned until the second leg.

Monaco's key injuries come in defence where Wilfried Singo and Jordan Teze are expected to miss out again, but Christian Mawissa will return after serving a ban in Europe.

Folarin Balogun is still struggling with a shoulder problem, but George Ilenikhena is fit again, and will battle with Mika Biereth and the out-of-form Breel Embolo for a starting berth.

Nantes will have experienced defender Nicolas Pallois back after suspension for this one, but Tino Kadewere and Nathan Zeze remain sidelined with injury.

Francis Coquelin is yet to make his debut after arriving from Villarreal late in the transfer window, but fellow new signing Meschack Elia did come off the bench in their defeat against Brest.

Monaco possible starting lineup:

Majecki; Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Mawissa; Minamino, Camara, Zakaria, Golovin; Ilenikhena, Biereth

Nantes possible starting lineup:

Lopes; Coco, Castelletto, Pallois, Cozza; Douglas Augusto, Pedro Chirivella, Lepenant; Abline, Mohamed, Simon

We say: Monaco 1-1 Nantes

Everything is caving in for Hutter's Monaco at present, and even though they would like to prioritise the upcoming second leg in the Champions League against Benfica, they must place huge emphasis on this fixture, with their top-four spot in doubt.

Written by

Andrew Delaney

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