With only one point separating three teams going into the final matchday in Group H of the UEFA Europa League (UEL), and a spot in the knockout round play-offs or transfer to the Europa Conference League still on offer, this game remains all to play for! Second-place incumbents Monaco will retain their spot with a win over Red Star Belgrade and qualify for the playoffs as a result. But a draw would also be enough if Trabzonspor fail to win against Ferencváros in Group H’s other game.
Monaco dropping points via a late equaliser against Ferencváros in the last round (1-1) may still be hurting, but they have little time to relax as the French side can also potentially finish fourth in this group with a loss! A timely 2-0 win on Sunday at least extended their recent impressive domestic form (W6, D1, L1), and lifted them closer to the Ligue 1 top five, but the hosts now need to replicate that in Europe. Fans have seen the best of Monaco at home though, and an unbeaten four-game competitive streak (W3, D1) at the Stade Louis II could help them over the line.
Despite starting their UEL group campaign with consecutive losses including a 1-0 reverse-leg defeat, Red Star now have an outside chance of qualifying after winning two of their last three UEL games (L1). The visitors are bottom of the group standings but could end up anywhere between second to fourth depending on this game, and the result and margin in Trabzonspor’s match against Ferencváros. Yet, to have any chance of continuing a tradition of qualifying out of their group into the UEL knockouts as they’ve done in their previous three UEL group campaigns, they must beat Monaco.
A victory would be doubly sweet as Red Star have failed to win their last 13 UEFA matches against French clubs (D3, L10). While that record may be unnerving, the momentum of topping the Serbian SuperLiga back home with an unbeaten record (W14, D2), including four straight away wins, should fuel their ambitions.
Players to watch: Breel Embolo scored Monaco’s opener on Sunday and has seen his last three UEL goal contributions (G1, A2) come in wins, including grabbing the reverse leg winner. Charged up for Red Star could be Guélor Kanga whose five career UEL goals have seen his side avoid defeat (W3, D1).
Hot stat: Monaco have conceded six of their last seven UEL goals during the second half, with three coming beyond the 70th minute.
