Barcelona are aiming to continue their perfect record under Hansi Flick when they begin their Champions League campaign at AS Monaco on Thursday evening.
The new manager of the Catalan giants hasn’t tasted defeat since losing to Monaco 3-0 in pre-season, winning all five of Barcelona’s La Liga games. After three successive 2-1 victories to kick off the season, La Blaugrana have since upped their game with 7-0 and 4-1 wins over Real Valladolid and Girona respectively.
Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain was ultimately Xavi’s undoing as the club’s coach and Flick – who won the competition in 2019/20 with Bayern Munich – will be aiming to improve upon his predecessor’s performances.
Monaco haven’t even reached the Champions League since 2018/19 and are a far cry from the side that made it all the way to the final in 2003/04. They’re also some distance off the star-studded team that reached the semi-final in 2016/17 and they will have their work cut out to make it to this season’s knockout stage.
Here is 90min’s guide to Barcelona’s clash with Monaco.
What time does Monaco vs Barcelona kick-off?
Location: Fontvieille, Monaco
Stadium: Stade Louis II
Date: Thursday 19 September
Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Referee: Allard Lindhout (NET)
VAR: Johan Higler (NET)
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Monaco vs Barcelona on TV and live stream
Monaco team news
Monaco’s only confirmed absentees for Thursday’s clash are Edan Diop and Radoslaw Majecki, with Lamine Camara having been cleared to return to training despite undergoing concussion tests following the 3-0 weekend win over Auxerre.
The midfielder, who has impressed since a summer move from Metz, should return to Adi Hutter’s starting lineup, with the in-form Denis Zakaria likely to partner him in the engine room.
There may be a return to the starting XI for former Liverpool attacking midfielder Takumi Minamino, while Breel Embolo should lead the line ahead of ex-Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
Monaco predicted lineup vs Barcelona
Monaco predicted lineup vs Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Kohn; Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Henrique; Camara, Zakaria; Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir; Embolo.
Barcelona team news
Barcelona‘s fitness woes have only been exacerbated by Dani Olmo injuring his hamstring against Girona at the weekend. The Spaniard faces at least a month out of action and won’t return until after the October international break.
Olmo joins fellow midfielders Fermin Lopez, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi in the treatment room, although the latter is edging closer to a first-team return. At the back, Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo are still missing.
Barca‘s encouraging form has been carried by their efficiency in front of goal. In La Liga, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal have all provided five or more goals and assists this season.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Monaco (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Raphinha, Torres; Lewandowski.
Monaco vs Barcelona score prediction
Barcelona may have made the dream start to the Flick era but Monaco have enjoyed a winning opening to the 2024/25 campaign as well. The Ligue 1 side have won three of their opening four fixtures, picking up a draw against Lens on matchday three.
They will pose Barca plenty of challenges, as exemplified by the pre-season meeting, and will fancy their chances of upsetting a backline and midfield short on personnel.
However, Barca’s blistering early season form and impressive appetite for goal makes it impossible to look beyond a victory for the visitors, who will be among the leading candidates for the title should they continue their hot streak long-term.
