Monaco vs Manchester City

Monaco and Manchester City meet in the UEFA Champions League for the first time since their memorable last-16 tie in 2016-17, one of the competition’s most thrilling knockout contests. That tie produced 12 goals across two legs, with City winning 5-3 at the Etihad before Monaco roared back with a 3-1 win in the return, advancing on away goals after a 6-6 aggregate. For Monaco, it remains one of their greatest modern European nights, while for Pep Guardiola’s City, it was a painful reminder of how unpredictable this tournament can be. The historical weight of that clash adds spice to this latest encounter. Monaco are one of only two sides to have eliminated a Guardiola team from the Champions League before the quarter-final stage, the other being Real Madrid in this season’s play-off round. It underlines the principality club’s pedigree in Europe, particularly at home, where their record against English opposition is impressive. At Stade Louis II, Monaco have only lost once in seven Champions League matches against English sides (W5 D1 L1). That lone defeat came against Arsenal in 2015, but otherwise the Ligue 1 side has consistently produced results. In fact, they have won all three of their group or league phase home fixtures against Premier League teams: 1-0 against Liverpool in 2004-05, 2-1 against Tottenham in 2016-17, and most recently 1-0 against Aston Villa in this campaign. It is a record that will give them belief heading into this showdown against another English side. Mika Biereth could team up with Folarin Balogun in attack at the end of a 3—5—2 setup. Paul Pogba remains ruled out.

For Manchester City, who swept Burnley aside 5-1 at the weekend, this fixture carries a different type of challenge. Guardiola’s side are among the tournament favourites every season, yet his early-round record shows some vulnerability against French opposition. Across 33 group-stage games in his managerial career, Guardiola has only lost twice on matchday one or two — both to French clubs, Lyon in 2018-19 and Paris Saint-Germain in 2021-22. Now, with Monaco standing in his way, the risk of a repeat cannot be overlooked. However, Guardiola has also never lost his first two away games against the same opponent in European competition more than twice in his career. After losing to Monaco at this very venue in 2017, another setback would mark a rare blemish on his otherwise stellar record. Picking up back-to-back UCL victories following the opening-day 2-0 win over ten-man Napoli remains the core objective on Wednesday when they appear with the 4—1—4—1 formation, having Haaland in attack.