This Wednesday, February 25th, Paris Saint-Germain faces AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9 pm, CET) in the second leg of the 2025-2026 Champions League playoff (2-3 in the first leg). And as before every match, here’s a look at PSG’s opponent.
Monaco’s situation –
For a while in the 2010s, Monaco’s project seemed to mirror PSG’s, but then the focus shifted to selling players for profit rather than building the best possible team. This led to numerous changes each year and some challenging periods.
There was hope for stability with the arrival of coach Adi Hütter in July 2023 and a well-planned transfer window, but the crisis returned at the end of the summer of 2025 with disappointing results considering the club’s objectives. The German was replaced in October by Sébastien Pocognoli (who distinguished himself at Union Saint-Gilloise).
The Belgian initially brought some interesting elements, but inconsistency persists, and there still seems to be a lot of work to be done. The Monaco club is currently 8th in Ligue 1, eliminated in the Round of 16 of the Coupe de France by Strasbourg, and therefore in the Champions League playoffs.
It’s worth noting that since the first leg, Monaco overturned a 2-0 deficit in Lens to ultimately win 3-2. This result benefits PSG in the league, but also provides a boost of confidence for their return leg in the Champions League.
Summer Transfer Window 2025 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Winter Transfer Window 2025-2026 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key Statistics –
This season in the group stage, Monaco is among the top 30 attacks in the Champions League with 8 goals scored (the top team, Arsenal, has 23, and the bottom two, Villarreal and Slavia Prague, have 5), and is among the top 17 defenses with 14 goals conceded (Arsenal has the best defense with 4 goals conceded, the bottom team, Kairat Almaty, has 22).
Monaco’s top scorer is Folarin Balogun (24-year-old striker), with 3 goals, ranking 29th in the Champions League (the top scorer is Kylian Mbappé with 13 goals). Maghnes Akliouche (30-year-old midfielder) is the club’s top assist provider with 2 assists, ranking 47th in the Champions League (the top assist provider is Vinicius Junior with 5 assists).
Monaco’s Champions League matches –
Only Monaco’s possession is shown, and Monaco’s shots are listed first (when data is available).
September 18, 2025 – Club Brugge/Monaco: 4-1. 4-4-2 formation. 52% possession. 12 shots, 5 on target, compared to 21 shots (9 on target).
October 1, 2025 – Monaco/Manchester City: 2-2. 3-4-3 formation. 33% possession. 10 shots, 7 on target, compared to 18 shots (7 on target).
October 22, 2025 – Monaco/Tottenham: 0-0. 3-4-2-1 formation. 56% possession. 21 shots, 9 on target, compared to 10 shots (4 on target).
04/11/2025 – Bodo/Glimt (at 10 in the 82nd minute, 0-1)/Monaco: 0-1. In 3-4-2-1. 37% possession. 10 shots including 3 on target versus 14 shots (5 on target).
26/11/2025 – Paphos/Monaco: 2-2. In 3-4-2-1. 51% possession. 15 shots including 7 on target against 12 shots (3 on target).
09/12/2025 – Monaco/Galatasaray: 1-0. In 4-2-3-1. 42% possession. 15 shots including 5 on target against 11 shots (2 on target).
January 20, 2026 – Real Madrid/Monaco: 6-1. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 47% possession. 18 shots, 6 on target, compared to 23 shots (7 on target).
January 28, 2026 – Monaco/Juventus: 0-0. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 50% possession. 11 shots, 5 on target, compared to 4 shots (0 on target).
February 17, 2026 – Monaco (down to 10 men in the 48th minute, 2-2)/PSG: 2-3. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 27% possession. 7 shots, 4 on target, compared to 28 shots (12 on target).
The squad:
.Out: Cabral, Diatta, Dier, Hradecky, Minamino, Salisu, Pogba, Ouattara (injury), Golovin (suspension).
Probable lineup in a 3-4-3 formation:
Coulibaly – Balogun- Akliouche
Henrique – Bamba – Camara – Vanderson
Faes – Zakaria – Kehrer
Köhn
Monaco’s playing style:
As with Union Saint-Gilloise, Pocognoli is trying to implement an attacking style of play. This also suits the squad, except for some adaptation difficulties and physical setbacks. Ultimately, we have a team that has distinguished itself rather defensively during the league phase. But they are also capable of big mistakes, as we saw again in the first leg (like the penalty conceded by Faes).
Monaco mainly caused PSG problems with their aggressive pressing and some quick counter-attacks. The Parisians will therefore need to be very focused throughout the entire match this time to avoid conceding goals like they did in the first leg. There will undoubtedly be chances, especially since Monaco absolutely must get the win. They just need to rediscover their clinical finishing.
