AS Monaco is preparing to face the Club Bruges for its first game of the Champions League, a perilous displacement made more difficult by travel constraints. Bruges’ coach, Nicky Hayen, anticipates an intense encounter and has prepared a strategy to counter the Monegasque attack, stressing the need to break through their dry cleaners and be strong defensively. He recognized the quality of Monaco players, notably Ansou Fati and Eric Dier, but stressed the importance of the battle on the ground and the advantage of playing at home. Hayen warns against underestimation of the opponent, stressing Monaco’s high and compact dry cleaning that leaves little space.

Adi Hütter, Monaco’s coach, has selected a team of 20 players for this trip, despite several major absences. Captain Denis Zakaria is in a pack due to an injury to the right adductor, joining the players already absent: Aleksándr Golovin (Rightischio), Mohammed Salisu (left knee) and Lukás Hradećky (left knee). The Monegasque team will nevertheless be able to count on Ansou Fati, who arrived on loan this summer, who has yet to regain his full physical condition. The starting composition of Monaco, based on a 4-4-2, will see Mawissa and Dier as a central hinge, with Bamba and Camara in the game.

The official compositions of both teams were revealed an hour before the kick-off. Monaco will face Bruges with Köhn as goaltender, Vanderson and Dier in defense, Mawissa and Hénrigue in central hinge, Akliouche, Bamba, Camara and Minamino in the middle of the field, and Biereth and Balogun in attack. The Club Bruges, meanwhile, will align Mignolet as goaltender, Sabbe, Ordóñez, Mechele and Meijer in defense, Onyedikà, Stankovic, Vanaken in midfield, Förbs, Tzolis and Tresoldi in attack. The game, which will take place at Jan Breydelstadion, will be arbitrated by Simone Sozza.