AS Monaco has been drawn against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League playoffs, prompting the Principality club's CEO to express reservations about the matchup's impact on French teams' progression. Monaco advanced to the playoffs with a draw against Juventus, while PSG missed the top eight after being held by Newcastle United. The clubs, who met earlier in Ligue 1 with Monaco prevailing 1-0, will face off in a two-legged tie starting at Stade Louis II.
The UEFA Champions League playoff draw on Friday paired AS Monaco with Paris Saint-Germain, creating an all-French showdown that echoes last season's matchup between the reigning champions and Stade Brestois. Monaco secured their spot in the playoffs with a 0-0 draw against Juventus, finishing with 10 points from the league phase: two wins, two losses, and four draws. Their victories came 1-0 against Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray, with draws against Manchester City (2-2), Tottenham (0-0), Pafos (2-2), and Juventus (0-0). Losses were heavy: 6-1 to Real Madrid and 4-1 to Bruges, leaving them with just eight goals scored—the worst attack among remaining teams.
PSG, meanwhile, failed to reach the top eight after a draw with Newcastle United at Parc des Princes. The draw had a 50/50 chance of pitting the two French sides against each other, with alternatives including Qarabag for PSG and Newcastle for Monaco.
Thierry Scuro, Monaco's CEO, voiced concerns at the draw, stating, “for French football, it isn’t the best draw for the UEFA coefficient and for the chances of two French clubs going further in the Champions League.” He added that it would be an “important moment in the league.” Despite this, Scuro noted the matchup suited Monaco better than facing Newcastle and expressed confidence: “We are confident... we have quality and good players, we showed it in the last match against Paris, which we won here in Monaco, 1-0.”
Coach Sebastien Pocognoli echoed the optimism, saying he was “very happy to face PSG, because we already played a very good match against them at home in the league... We know we perform well against big teams.” Midfielder Mamadou Coulibaly, 21, added, “On paper, they will likely be the favorites, but... we know we have everything it takes to win.”
The pair's most recent encounter was in Ligue 1 in November, where Takumi Minamino's goal secured a 1-0 victory for Monaco at Stade Louis II. The playoff first leg will be hosted by Monaco, followed by the return at Parc des Princes.
