Key Takeaways
- Paul Pogba is expected to make his first start for AS Monaco since joining the club last summer.
- The Principality side are six points behind the top four and need a win to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
- Ansu Fati is likely to drop to the bench, with Aleksandr Golovin returning to the starting attack.
AS Monaco will travel to face FC Metz this weekend as they fight for a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. The team currently sit six points behind both Olympique Lyonnais and Lille OSC, who hold the third and fourth spots in the Ligue 1 table.
Manager Adi Hütter may hand Paul Pogba his first start since the French midfielder arrived from Juventus. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has spent most of this season recovering from injury and has only appeared as a substitute in recent matches.
Changes are also expected in attack following last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Toulouse FC. Ansu Fati, who is on loan from FC Barcelona, looks set to move to the bench. Russian playmaker Aleksandr Golovin should replace him on the left side of the front three.
According to L’Équipe, the predicted lineup includes Lukas Hradecky in goal. The defence may feature Wout Faes, Denis Zakaria and Thilo Kehrer. In midfield, Pogba could start alongside Lamine Camara, with Simon Adingra and Jordan Teze providing width. The attack would see Golovin join Folarin Balogun and Maghnes Akliouche.