AS Monaco host Freiburg at Stade Louis II in the second round of the UEFA Conference League league phase, with the expected line-ups putting particular focus on the tactical choices of both managers.
Monaco could make several key selections as they seek to build an attacking side capable of troubling their German opponents. Lukas Hradecky is expected to start in goal, while Denis Zakaria and Lamine Camara are likely to form the central midfield partnership.
Ansu Fati and Takumi Minamino are projected to operate in the attacking positions, alongside Aleksandr Golovin. Their creativity would give Monaco several options in the final third, with Paris Brunner expected to lead the line.
Monaco's expected line-up
Goalkeeper: Lukas Hradecky
Defenders: Flavio Nazinho, Mohammed Salisu, Sadibou Sane, Vanderson
Defensive midfielders: Denis Zakaria, Lamine Camara
Attacking midfielders: Ansu Fati, Aleksandr Golovin, Takumi Minamino
Striker: Paris Brunner
Freiburg will arrive without Florent Muslija, who is ineligible for the match, while Berkay Y?lmaz is unavailable after undergoing dental surgery. Bruno Ogbus is also expected to miss out because of muscular problems.
Despite those absences, Freiburg can call on experienced players for the trip to Monaco. Matthias Ginter is set to anchor the defence, with Maximilian Eggestein likely to feature in midfield. Igor Matanovic is expected to take responsibility for the visitors' attack.
Freiburg's expected line-up
Goalkeeper: Mio Backhaus
Defenders: Jordy Makengo, Philipp Lienhart, Matthias Ginter, Philipp Treu
Defensive midfielders: Yannik Engelhardt, Maximilian Eggestein
Attacking midfielders: Vincenzo Grifo, Yuito Suzuki, Cyriaque Irie
Striker: Igor Matanovic
The match is scheduled to take place on Thursday as Monaco play their second league-phase fixture in the UEFA Conference League. The meeting at Stade Louis II will give both sides the chance to assess their position in the competition while the two managers decide whether to rely on the projected combinations.
The listed betting odds make Monaco the narrowest favourites, with an AS Monaco victory priced at 1.98. A draw is valued at 3.40, while a Freiburg win is priced at 2.90.