Monaco are aiming to continue their impressive start to the 2024/25 season when they receive a visit from Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League this Tuesday.
Adi Hutter’s side are still unbeaten in all competitions, winning seven and drawing three of their opening ten matches across Ligue 1 and the Champions League. They are currently level on points with French giants Paris Saint-Germain domestically, while they opened their European campaign with a 2-1 victory over Barcelona.
Monaco did suffer a slight setback in their bid to reach the knockout stage on matchday two of the re-formatted Champions League. The principality side had to come from two goals down to earn a late point away at Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb.
Red Star Belgrade may be cruising at the top of the Serbian SuperLiga but European football is a completely different proposition. After opening with a 2-1 defeat to Benfica on home soil, the capital side were then thumped 4-0 by Serie A champions Inter in their second league phase encounter, leaving them 33rd in the 36-team table.
Here is 90min’s guide to Monaco vs Red Star Belgrade.
Monaco vs Red Star Belgrade H2H Record (All Time)
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Monaco vs Red Star Belgrade on TV and live stream
Monaco team news
Monaco’s impressive early season form has been helped by the presence of former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun but the Ligue 1 side will be without the United States international for the foreseeable future. He dislocated his shoulder in victory over Rennes before the international break and will be replaced by wonderkid George Ilenikhena or the experienced Breel Embolo.
Edan Diop is also sidelined and former Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu is missing in defence. Jordan Teze was sent off in the goalless draw with Lille at the weekend but his suspension will only be served domestically.
Monaco predicted lineup vs Red Star Belgrade
Monaco predicted lineup vs Red Star Belgrade (4-2-3-1): Kohn; Vanderson, Singo, Kehrer, Henrique; Zakaria, Camara; Ben Seghir, Minamino, Golovin; Embolo.
Red Star Belgrade team news
Red Star Belgrade don’t have too many injury concerns heading to Monaco but they could be without right-back Ognjen Mimovic who is doubtful with a knock.
Luka Ilic scored a hat-trick in the weekend’s 5-1 win over Radnicki Nis but came off injured in the 75th minute, putting his place in the starting lineup in jeopardy. Full-back Egor Prutsev was also withdrawn through injury and could miss out midweek.
Red Star Belgrade predicted lineup vs Monaco (4-2-3-1): Glazer; Seol, Drkusic, Spajic, Djiga; Krunic, Elsnik; Silas, Ivanic, Olayinka; Ndiaye.
Red Star Belgrade’s wait for a Champions League victory is likely to continue into matchday four as they prepare for a trip to a Monaco side brimming with confidence. Unbeaten in all competitions and having won this fixture 4-1 in the 2022/23 Europa League, Monaco will be strong favourites.
Monaco’s defensive displays have been particularly impressive under Hutter in Ligue 1, with just four goals conceded thus far. In the likes of Takumi Minamino, Aleksandr Golovin and Eliesse Ben Seghir, they should have enough quality in the final third to stroll to victory.
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