FC Barcelona Vs AS Monaco Preview: Barca eyeing a dream start in UCL

FC Barcelona has had a dominating start to their 2024/25 campaign, winning all the games this season. Having had a significant start to their La Liga campaign, the club has its eyes now on their upcoming UCL fixture against AS Monaco. Being technically sound in all the key areas with stars like Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in great form, it is expected for the club to get a dream start to their new UCL campaign.

FC Barcelona Vs AS Monaco Preview

FC Barcelona is set to kick off its Champions League season opener against AS Monaco on 19th September at 19:00 UTC in the Stade Loius II stadium. Although Barca's victory against Girona came with massive positives for the club, the Blaugrana camp got their star signing Dani Olmo injured in that fixture. Reports suggesting him being out for around a month suggest Barca would certainly feel Olmo's absence, and it wouldn't be easy for the club to reproduce the player's effectiveness on the field. Moreover, having been dismantled 3-0 in the preseason Joan Gamper fixture, FC Barcelona certainly needs a collective effort to beat the French club at their home.

Talking about the club's potential lineup for the big matchday, Flick might need to incorporate some crucial changes in order to fill Olmo's void. Starting with the defense, it is certain that Flick would continue with the same defense which has been doing so far for the club. Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde on the full-backs and the duo of Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi at the heart of Barca's backline, combined with Ter Stegen in the goal, would be Barca's defense force.

Coming to the midfield, this is the area where some serious changes might be necessary to build a balanced lineup. While there are many rumors and possibilities that Flick might involve Barca's young prodigy Pablo Torre in Olmo's role or start the duo of Eric Garcia and Casado in the pivot role, with Pedri at the front, the German manager might want to stick with his tested formation. Before Olmo debuted for Barca this season, it had been Raphinha playing in the attacking midfield role and Ferran on the left wing, and chances are that would be the case in Monaco's fixture.

Finally, coming to the attack, it is much certain that given Raphinha goes from his left-winger position to Olmo's role, Ferran would start alongside Lewandowski and Yamal. Not to forget that even though this front three looks a bit thin with Raphinha being more efficient on the left wing, this formation has been doing the job in the initial games, and Flick might not prefer other changes.

Scoreline Prediction

While it is certain that the matchday won't be an easy walk for any of the two sides, considering their previous meeting, it can be said that Barcelona enter the matchday being the favorites. Given the high-line pressing of the Blaugrana club in their recent performances, it would certainly be difficult for AS Monaco to catch up with Barca in the fixture. Thus, considering all the factors, a 3-1 win in the favor of FC Barcelona does sound to be a fair prediction.