Monaco and Freiburg weigh up line-ups for Conference League clash

AS Monaco and Freiburg meet at the Stade Louis II on Thursday in the second matchday of the Conference League league phase, with both managers’ team selections attracting close attention.

Monaco are expected to start Lukas Hradecky in goal, while Denis Zakaria and Lamine Camara could form the central midfield pairing.

Ansu Fati, Aleksandr Golovin and Takumi Minamino are likely to operate behind Paris Brunner, who is expected to lead the attack. The trio would provide Monaco with creativity and an attacking threat, while Brunner will look to take advantage of the service in front of goal.

Monaco’s probable XI

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

Centre-forward: Paris Brunner

Fribourg will be without Florent Muslija, who is ineligible, while Berkay Yılmaz is unavailable after dental surgery. Bruno Ogbus is also expected to miss the match because of muscular problems.

Despite those absences, Fribourg coach can call on experienced players including Matthias Ginter and Maximilian Eggestein, as well as Igor Matanovic in attack.

Mio Backhaus is projected to start in goal, with Jordy Makengo, Philipp Lienhart, Ginter and Philipp Treu forming the defensive line.

Yannik Engelhardt and Eggestein are expected to provide the midfield base. Vincenzo Grifo, Yuito Suzuki and Cyriaque Irie could play in more advanced roles behind Matanovic.

Fribourg’s probable XI

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

Centre-forward: Igor Matanovic

The match is Monaco’s second fixture of the Conference League league phase, with Fribourg their opponents at the Stade Louis II.

The listed betting odds give Monaco a price of 1.98 for victory, with a draw at 3.40 and a Fribourg win at 2.90.