Lineups
Monaco: [Predicted XI]
Manchester City: [Predicted XI]
(Official lineups to be confirmed closer to kick-off.)
Prediction
History and stats point to Monaco being no easy opponent, especially at home, but City’s firepower and form should be enough to get them over the line this time. Expect goals, just like in 2017.
Prediction: Monaco 1-3 Manchester City.
Monaco vs Manchester City Preview: Pep Faces Familiar French Challenge
The Stade Louis II brings back memories of one of Manchester City’s most dramatic Champions League exits — that 2016/17 tie where Monaco stunned Pep Guardiola’s men on away goals after a 6-6 aggregate thriller. City return to the Principality tonight with unfinished business, but history suggests French opponents know how to trouble Guardiola.
Match Info
- Competition: UEFA Champions League
- Matchday: 2 of 8
- Date: Today
- Kick-off: 22:00 (local time)
- Venue: Stade Louis II, Monaco
Pre-Match Insights
- Historic Clash: The only previous meeting between these two came in 2016/17. Monaco eliminated City on away goals after a thrilling 6-6 tie, winning 3-1 at home and losing 5-3 away.
- French Kryptonite for Pep: Monaco are one of only two clubs (alongside Real Madrid in 2024/25 qualifiers) to knock Guardiola out before the quarter-finals. Pep has also lost to Lyon (2019) and PSG (2021) in recent years.
- Rare Pep Pattern: If Monaco beat City again, Guardiola would lose his first two away games against the same opponent — something that has only happened twice in his career (Barcelona vs AC Milan in 2013, Liverpool in 2018).
- Monaco’s Home Record vs English Teams: Strong. They’ve lost just once in seven Champions League home games vs English sides (W5, D1). Wins include Liverpool, Tottenham, and Aston Villa.
- City’s Group Stage Strength: Guardiola’s City have won 26 of their last 33 group-stage games in MD1/MD2. But both defeats came against French sides.
Things to Watch Out For
- Can Monaco repeat their 2017 heroics against Guardiola’s City?
- Will Pep’s struggles against French sides continue?
- Monaco’s home fortress vs City’s group-stage dominance — which record holds?
Final Thoughts
Monaco are dangerous, City are determined, and history shows this fixture rarely disappoints. Another high-scoring Champions League night could be on the cards at Stade Louis II.
👉 Stay tuned here for live updates, goals, and post-match reactions once the game kicks off.
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