A victory against the Italians of Bologna on Tuesday November 5 during the fourth day of the league phase would put Monaco in a very favorable position to qualify directly for the round of 16.
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Will the Monaco players take advantage of the C1 to get back on track? Beaten in Nice (2-1) and Angers (1-0) during the last two days of the French Championship, the Monegasques are starting to falter in the standings. They took only one point out of nine possible in three games. Coach Adi Hütter has never experienced such a shortage since his arrival in the Principality last season. It’s time to remobilize. First in Bologna in C1, then in Ligue 1 in Strasbourg just before the international break.
Bologna in an outsider position
“ I think with ten points we would qualify », said Hütter before the river victory of the third day against Belgrade (5-1). To win in Italy, Monaco will have to put their best foot forward. Indeed, after seven months without a home victory, Bologna found a smile again by beating the relegated Lecce club on Saturday November 2 (1-0).
This delivery signed by Riccardo Orsolini could finally launch the season for Vicenzo Italiano’s men. Especially since Lewis Ferguson, the Scottish captain, also made his return after knee surgery last April. Defeated at Liverpool (2-0) and Aston Villa (2-0), held in check by Donetsk (0-0, 1st day) for their only meeting at the Renato-Dall’Ara Stadium, Bologna is behind Monaco and does not only counts one point in C1.
Highly anticipated Moroccan international Eliesse Ben Seghir
Winner of its two home matches (Barcelona and Belgrade), the Principality team was mistreated in Zagreb (2-2). Salvation came from a penalty obtained by Folarin Balogun and scored by Zakaria in stoppage time. However, both should be absent against the seven-time winner of the Italian Championship. In the meantime, Monaco will be able to count on the Moroccan international, Eliesse Ben Seghir, 19 years old. After a last season marred by debilitating thigh and shoulder injuries, Eliesse Ben Seghir intends to make up for lost time.
Launched into the deep end two years ago against Belgrade (4-1), at 17 years and 8 months, by Philippe Clément, predecessor of Adi Hütter, Ben Seghir especially attracted attention from his first appearance in L1, by scoring a doubled in one half at Auxerre (3-2, December 28, 2022). Today, and despite his physical problems, the attacking midfielder has already played 50 matches with Monaco (including 42 in L1 and 6 in Europe), where he extended his contract until 2027, last January when he was injured in the ‘shoulder.
Monaco are currently in fourth place in the league stage and the top eight qualify directly for the round of 16.