AS Monaco is back in the Champions League for the first time since 2018-2019, but the draw has offered no favors. In the brand-new league-style format revealed on August 29, the Red and Whites face a daunting line-up, including heavyweights like Arsenal, Barcelona, and Inter Milan. Monaco will host Barcelona at home while heading to London and Milan for their clashes with Arsenal and Inter, respectively.
With the new format replacing the traditional eight groups, the competition now features 36 teams in a single group, each playing eight unique opponents — four at home and four away. Adi Hütter’s squad also faces Benfica, Red Star Belgrade, Aston Villa, Dinamo Zagreb, and Bologna in what promises to be a fierce battle for a top-eight finish to secure a spot in the last 16.
The action kicks off in mid-September, with matches running through January. The stakes are high, as the top eight advance directly to the knockout stage, while teams finishing 9th to 24th will battle it out in play-offs. The bottom 12 teams will exit all European competitions, with no chance for a Europa League reprieve.
Monaco’s road to glory begins on September 17-19, with dates to follow for their remaining matches in this exciting new phase of the Champions League.
