AS Monaco now know the six opponents awaiting them in their first UEFA Conference League campaign, with trips to England, Scotland and Bulgaria among the challenges ahead…
The draw, held in Monaco on Friday afternoon, handed Filipe Luís’ side home fixtures against Freiburg, Lincoln Red Imps and Nordsjælland, while they will travel to face Brighton, Hearts and CSKA Sofia.
Having comfortably eliminated Górnik Zabrze 7-3 on aggregate in the play-offs, Monaco will be targeting further progress in a competition that offers a realistic opportunity for European silverware.
Their toughest away assignment is likely to come against Brighton, who finished eighth in last season’s Premier League. Trips to Scottish runners-up Hearts and Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia complete their travels.
At Stade Louis-II, Freiburg provide the standout fixture. The German club finished seventh in the Bundesliga and reached last season’s Europa League final. Monaco will also welcome Danish side Nordsjælland and Gibraltar champions Lincoln Red Imps, marking the first competitive meeting between a French and Gibraltarian club.
Sporting director Thiago Scuro nevertheless cautioned against looking too far ahead, stressing the importance of taking each opponent seriously.
The dates and order of Monaco’s six league-phase fixtures will be confirmed in the coming days.
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