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Monaco’s season, which began with so much promise, is now at risk of unravelling after their midweek Champions League elimination. The club is left fighting to secure qualification for next season’s competition as their domestic form remains inconsistent.
Adi Hütter’s side had a flying start, going unbeaten in their first eight Ligue 1 games and sitting level with Paris Saint-Germain on 20 points. Their Champions League campaign also began brightly, as they took 10 points from their first four matches, including a memorable win over Barcelona.
However, their strong early-season form has since faded, with Monaco losing six of their last 14 Ligue 1 games. They now sit fourth in the table, 16 points behind PSG and only two points ahead of Lille, their opponents this weekend.
A top-three finish secures direct entry into next season’s Champions League, while fourth place requires navigating the qualification rounds. The team in fifth must settle for the Europa League, an outcome Monaco are desperate to avoid.
Last weekend’s 7-1 thrashing of struggling Nantes, in which new signing Mika Biereth bagged a second hat-trick in three league matches, was a positive sign. But defensive vulnerabilities have been Monaco’s undoing in big games. That weakness was exposed again on Tuesday when a 3-3 draw with Benfica saw them crash out of the Champions League play-offs, losing 4-3 on aggregate.
Their European disappointment follows an early exit from the French Cup, meaning their wait for silverware continues. Monaco’s last major trophy remains the 2017 Ligue 1 title.
“I thought we deserved to go through,” said Hütter after the Benfica loss, though he admitted his side “made too many avoidable mistakes.” Despite recently signing a contract extension until 2027, the Austrian coach faces mounting pressure to stabilise the team.
Monaco’s reliance on young players, including Maghnes Akliouche, Lamine Camara, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Biereth—who are all 22 or younger—has been a double-edged sword. Meanwhile, captain Denis Zakaria’s persistent injuries have left a leadership void in key moments.
While a prolonged Champions League run or a title challenge against PSG may have been unrealistic, missing out on next season’s Champions League would be disastrous for the club owned by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev.
“Young players have always been the DNA of Monaco,” club CEO Thiago Scuro told L’Équipe this week. “In the future, we may need more maturity and leadership. But we have shown that we are ready to be in the top three in Ligue 1.”
Lille midfielder Nabil Bentaleb made a stunning return last weekend, eight months after suffering a heart attack during a casual five-a-side game with friends.
The 30-year-old former Tottenham playmaker was cleared to resume his career after being fitted with a defibrillator. In his first game back, he came off the bench and scored a crucial late goal in Lille’s win over Rennes.
As Lille chase a Champions League place and prepare for their last-16 tie next month, Bentaleb could play a vital role in their season run-in.
