AS Monaco faces Galatasaray this Tuesday, December 9, 2025, for Stade Louis II, in Fontvieille, The match starts at 8pm local time (CET), equivalent to 5pm in Brasília.
With Monaco in 23rd place with six points and Galatasaray in 14th with nine, the game defines positions in the table, where a victory for the French team avoids the risk of direct elimination.
The clash brings together teams with similar formations, both in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and highlights duels between attackers such as Folarin Balogun and Victor Osimhen.
- Monaco are looking for their first home win in the competition, after two draws in Louis II.
- Galatasaray is coming off a 1-0 defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise in the UCL, but leads the Turkish Super Lig.
- Referee Danny Makkelie referees the game, averaging 3.42 cards per game this season.
Monaco confirmed lineup
Coach Sébastien Pocognoli selected Monaco with a focus on defensive solidity, adjusting returns from recent injuries.
Lukas Hradecky takes over the goal, protected by Vanderson, Thilo Kehrer, Mohammed Salisu and In the middle, Lamine Camara and Denis Zakaria form the midfielder duo, with Maghnes Akliouche, Takumi Minamino and Aleksandr Golovin behind Mika Biereth in attack.
This formation prioritizes quick transitions, exploiting the speed of Minamino and Golovin, who have four assists in the UCL.
The French team has the return of Kehrer and Salisu, but is still without Eric Dier, with a calf injury, and Christian Mawissa, with an unconfirmed problem.
Probable lineup for Galatasaray
Okan Buruk opted for an offensive lineup for Galatasaray, reinforcing the attack with Victor Osimhen back after injury.
Ugurcan Çakır defends the goal, with Roland Sallai, Davinson Sánchez, Abdülkerim Bardakci and Ismail Jakobs in defense. Ilkay Gündoğan and Lucas Torreira anchor the midfield, supporting Leroy Sané, Gabriel Sara and Baris Alper Yilmaz, with Osimhen up front.
Osimhen, scorer of six goals in three UCL games, is the standout, having scored a hat-trick in the last away match.
Suspension of Metehan Baltaci, Eren Elmali and Arda Ünyay weakens bench options, while Kaan Ayhan is doubtful due to a groin injury.
Where to watch live on Brasil
The match will be broadcast exclusively on HBO Max, a streaming platform available to subscribers on Brasil.
The service offers complete coverage, with narration in Portuguese and multiple camera options, including Momento of Ataque of Sofascore for real-time analysis.
For those who prefer open TV, there are no confirmed options, but the HBO app Max allows access via mobile devices from 5pm on Brasília.
Other countries have varied broadcasts, such as TNT Sports on França and beIN Sports on Turquia, but on Brasil, the focus is on exclusive streaming.
Highlights of the players on the field
Lamine
Osimhen dominates in technique (87) and attack (87), making him a constant threat, while Camara balances it with defense (47).
These individual duels could set the pace, especially with Balogun looking for his three goals in the UCL.
The historic match between the teams sees Monaco unbeaten in four of their last five European clashes against Turks in Louis II.
History and recent form of teams
Monaco drew both UCL home games, taking four points, but lost 1-0 to Brest in the last Ligue 1.
Galatasaray won three of five in the competition, including 3-0 over Young Boys, but stumbled at home against Union SG.
In Super Lig, the Turks lead with a recent unbeaten record, scoring 12 goals in the last five games.
- Monaco: D-V-V-D-E (last five matches in all competitions).
- Galatasaray: V-D-V-V-E.
The previous clash, in 2016, ended 4-2 for Monaco in the group stage.
Game-impacting injuries and suspensions
In Monaco, Ansu Fati and George Ilenikhena are unconfirmed doubts, while Folarin Balogun trains normally.
Galatasaray deals with confirmed absences of Eric Dier, Wilfried Singo and Mario Lemina, all injured.
Turkish suspensions limit rotation, forcing Buruk to keep the starting lineup intact.
These absences expose defensive vulnerabilities, with Monaco conceding 1.5 goals per game in the UCL and Galatasaray leaking 0.8 on average away.
Pre-game expectations and statistics
Analysts predict an open game, with odds of 1.95 for Monaco to win, 3.85 for a draw and 3.55 for Galatasaray.
Both teams have scored in four of Monaco’s last five home games, suggesting a high-scoring score.
Referee Makkelie records a low average number of cards (0.20 yellow cards per game), favoring fluidity.
The Monegasque fans fill the Louis II with 18 thousand seats, pushing the team in search of crucial points for the top 8.
Galatasaray, reinforced by investments of 175 million euros in the summer, aims for direct playoffs with victory.
