When Sébastien Pocognoli, head coach of AS Monaco took charge of his side’s first Champions League match, the atmosphere at Stade Louis‑II was electric. The league‑phase showdown is set for Wednesday, 22 October 2025, kick‑off 20:00 BST, and will be overseen by Italian referee Marco Guida with VAR duties handled by fellow Italian Aleandro Di Paolo. Across the pitch, Thomas Frank, mistakenly listed in some outlets as managing Spurs, is in fact the man steering Tottenham Hotspur into the heart of the competition.

Background: Pocognoli’s first taste of the Champions League

Just weeks ago, Pocognoli was hired from Union St‑Gilloise after a brief spell at AS Monaco saw its previous boss, Adi Hütter, walk out. The Swiss‑born former Belgium defender arrived with a promise: rebuild a squad that had slipped to 30th in the group after a 4‑1 loss to Club Brugge and a 2‑2 draw with Manchester City. His debut as a manager at the continental level came against a side that already had four points from two games – a 1‑0 win over Villarreal and a 2‑2 stalemate with Bodo/Glimt.

The last time these clubs met was on 22 November 2016, when Monaco edged a 2‑1 victory at the Stade Louis‑II. Back then, the French side were riding a wave of domestic dominance; today they’re scrambling for even a single point to stay alive in Group H.

Injury lists and squad availability

Both coaches will have to juggle extensive injury reports. Monaco’s midfield and back line look especially thin:

  • Eric Dier – hamstring (out)
  • Paul Pogba – fitness concerns (questionable)
  • Lukas Hradecky – knee (out)
  • Vanderson – hamstring (out)
  • Denis Zakaria – adductor (out)
  • Lamine Camara – ankle (out)
  • Aleksandr Golovin – unavailable (out)
  • Christian Mawissa – hamstring (doubtful)

Tottenham’s list is no less daunting. The English side will miss key attackers and midfielders, plus a crucial centre‑back pair:

  • Mathys Tel – ineligible (out)
  • Dejan Kulusevski – knee (out)
  • James Maddison – knee (out)
  • Yves Bissouma – ankle (out)
  • Radu Dragusin – knee (out)
  • Kota Takai – foot (out)
  • Ben Davies – muscle (out)
  • Dominic Solanke – ankle (out)
  • Cristian Romero – groin/adductor (out)
  • Destiny Udogie – knee (out)

Frank was forced into a last‑minute shuffle against Aston Villa when Romero pulled a groin strain in the warm‑up. “It’s an adductor strain,” the manager said, “we’ll assess him this week.” Kevin Danso, drafted in as a replacement, later apologised to Liverpool’s Lucas Digne for an accidental challenge that left the French full‑back nursing an ankle.

Predicted line‑ups and tactical battle

Sports Mole’s analysts have put together what they think the starting elevens will look like. Monaco’s eleven is built around a back three, with Thilo Kehrer, Mohammed Salisu and Caio Henrique providing width and experience. In midfield, Krépin Diatta and Jordan Teze are expected to drive the ball forward, while the front three of Maghnes Akliouche, Folarin Balogun and Ansu Fati bring pace and flair.

Tottenham, on the other hand, may line up in a 3‑4‑3. Guglielmo Vicario is likely to guard the net, while a back three of Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso and Micky van de Ven should keep the defence compact. Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha will sit deep, feeding the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Pape Matar Sarr and the prodigy Xavi Simons. Richarlison is earmarked as the central striker, tasked with turning any half‑chances into goals.

The contrast is stark: Monaco will probably press high, trying to seize early possession, whereas Tottenham’s game plan under Frank leans on quick transitions and exploiting the spaces behind Monaco’s high line.

Statistical head‑to‑head and recent form

Looking at the numbers, Monaco have been surprisingly strong against Premier League opposition at home – only one loss in their last ten such games (6‑3‑1). Yet in the continental arena they’ve won just one of their last eight Champions League outings (1‑2‑5). Tottenham’s record tells a different story. The Spurs have scored in 17 of their last 18 Champions League matches and have lost only one of their last 14 European games (8‑5‑1). Their away record against French clubs is also solid – just a single defeat in six trips.

Eric Dier, now a Monaco player, has featured in all four previous clashes between the two sides, with the French club winning three of those encounters. Unfortunately for Monaco, Dier is sidelined with a hamstring, leaving a leadership void in the centre‑back line.

What’s at stake? Implications for the group

For Monaco, the match is a make‑or‑break situation. With only one point from the opening two fixtures, a win would catapult them to four points, breathing life into a campaign that currently looks headed for early elimination. The revenue from progressing – television rights, gate receipts and prize money – could be crucial for a club that has been juggling its finances while competing on multiple fronts.

Tottenham, meanwhile, sits on four points and aims to preserve an unbeaten European run. A slip‑up could see them drop into a tight four‑team battle for the second qualifying spot, especially with Group H also featuring Villarreal and Bodo/Glimt, both capable of snatching points on a bad day.

Both coaches know the margin for error is razor‑thin. As the clock ticks down to kickoff, the fans in Monaco are hoping Pocognoli can coax a performance that mirrors his debut draw against Angers, while Spurs supporters in London will be watching the TV screens, praying that the injury list thins out enough for Romero to return.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will Monaco’s injury shortage affect their defence?

With Eric Dier, Lukas Hradecky and Denis Zakaria unavailable, Pocognoli will likely rely on the experienced Thilo Kehrer and the versatile Mohammed Salisu to form a back three. The lack of depth means any further setback could force a makeshift centre‑back partnership, potentially exposing gaps for Tottenham’s quick‑transition attackers.

What impact does Tottenham’s missing striker lineup have?

With Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie out, Frank will lean heavily on Richarlison as the focal point. However, the absence of Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison limits creative options in the final third, meaning the Spurs may rely more on Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus to supply the striker.

When is the next group match for Monaco after this fixture?

The next Group H encounter for Monaco comes on 5 November 2025 when they travel to face Villarreal at the Estadio de Mestalla. That game will be critical for any points recovery after the Tottenham showdown.

How have the two clubs performed against each other historically?

In their six previous meetings, Monaco have won three, drawn two and lost one. The most recent clash, the 2016‑17 group stage, ended 2‑1 to Monaco. The record suggests a competitive edge for the French side, but the current squad shortages could swing the balance.

What does a win mean for Tottenham’s Champions League campaign?

A victory would lift Tottenham to seven points, virtually securing a top‑two finish and granting them a favorable draw in the knockout round. It would also preserve their impressive record of scoring in 17 of the last 18 European games, boosting confidence ahead of the December round‑of‑16.