Reunions, firsts… What's the history for AS Monaco’s opponents in the UCL?
We now know the program for our Monégasques in the Champions League! While waiting to discover in detail the schedule of matches for this first phase of the Champions league, the Rouge et Blanc have discovered the identity of the Club’s eight opponents in the competition. So before kicking off this European campaign, let’s focus on each confrontation. 🔎
Arsenal: London calling! 📞
Even for the youngest, the Emirates Stadium inevitably evokes a great memory! AS Monaco indeed faced the Gunners in the round of 16 of the Champions League during the 2014-2015 season. A duel that would produce a real feat in London with three (very) young Rouge et Blanc on the scoresheet (in a 3-1 win).
Despite the defeat in the return leg in the Principality (0-2), it was job done Leonardo Jardim’s men. This year, they will now have to face a team with the status of having twice finished runners up in England, led by Mikel Arteta.
Aston Villa: a first 🤝
This time, it will be a first! Even though the Villans have a rich history in Europe, including a win in the European Club’ Cup in 1982, the Red and Whites have never crossed paths with them.
There will therefore be a taste of something new in this duel, facing last season’s surprise in the Premier League, who finished in fourth place, thanks in particular to the work done by Unai Emery. It should be noted that a former player will be making his return to the Principality on this occasion, since Youri Tielemans will face AS Monaco for the first time.
FC Barcelona: revenge on the horizon? 🏆
Among the eight opponents in this league phase, this is obviously the most famous (5 times winner of the competition)… but also the one faced most recently! We only have to go back to August 12 to find a trace of the prestigious success of Lamine Camara’s teammates, scorer that day, against Lamine Yamal’s Barça, in winning the Trophée Joan Gamper (0-3).
This victory on Spanish soil which unfortunately did not erase the two defeats in the group stage of Champions League in 1993-1994 (2-0 puis 0-1). One for all, ball in the center…
Benfica Lisbon: an eagle to tame 🦅
Here too, there is an historical heavyweight. Author of the back-to-back wins in the Champions League 1961 and 1962, the “SLB” of the legend Eusébio, left his mark on the queen of continental competitions. They are a Portuguese team that we find every year in C1, and which had provided one of its youngsters to the Principality in 2014: Bernardo Silva.
In a twist of fate, AS Monaco would face Benfica in the group stage this same season, for a meager haul at the end: a goalless draw in the first leg at home and a 1-0 defeat in the return leg. It was a great match in perspective at the Stade Louis-II, between the two clubs in red and white.
Bologne FC: primi piatti 🍝
A first… in competitive play! After beating them in preseason when they were under the orders of Thiago Motta (3-2 victory), who has since left to coach Juventus Turin, the Red and Blue of Bologna are coming off a historic season. The first team to be Italian champion in 1924, the Emilia-Romagna team obtained a very fine fifth place in Serie A, allowing them to reach the Champions League for the first time since… 1964-1965!
It was a remarkable comeback, and an opportunity for the Monegasques to discover the Renato Dall’Ara stadium. In fact, in the old-timers section, Marco Di Vaio is now the sports director there.
Dinamo Zagreb : An unknown land 🇭🇷
This is the other club that AS Monaco has never faced in its history. However, several players have played in both clubs, including Dario Šimić, Jerko Leko and Nikola Pokrivač.
This will therefore be a big first in Croatia between the two teams, where the club from the Rock will also find a familiar face: Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel. Finally, a spoiler for Monaco supporters wishing to follow the Club’s European adventures this season: Zagreb is a magnificent city!
Red Star Belgrade : Another rouge et blanc ! 🔴⚪
If there is one thing in common between the Serbian team and the club from the Principality, it is the colours. For the rest, the two teams know each other well, since they met two years ago in the group stage of the Europa League (2022-2023).
And it remains a good memory for the partners of Breel Embolo, who won twice : in Belgrade thanks to the Swiss’ penalty (0-1), and in the reverse leg in an impressive display at the Stade Louis-II (4-1). We are praying with both hands for a third time!
Inter Milan : A monumental San Siro 🏟️
It is the Italian team that is not successful for AS Monaco along with Juventus Turin! In four European meetings played against the Nerazzurri, the Rouge et Blanc have lost three times. During the double legged tie in the round of 16 of Champions League in-1963-1964. Then there was the first leg in the 1997 UEFA Cup semi-final, before a comeback in the return leg (1-0 win at the Louis-II).
A duel that still haunts the generation of Emmanuel Petit, Martin Djetou and Victor Ikpeba, convinced of having been wronged in Italy. This is the perfect opportunity to wash away past disappointments. But beware, the reigning Italian champion, triple winner of the Champions League and finalist in 2023, will stand opposite! 🇮🇹
📅 The 2024-2025 Champions League Calendar
> League phase
1st round Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 September
2nd round: Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 October
3rd round: Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 October
4th round: Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 November
5th round: Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 November
6th round: Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December
7th round: Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 January
8th round: Wednesday 29 January
> Knockout rounds
Play-off matches: Tuesday 11, Wednesday 12, Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 February
Round of 16: Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5, Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 March
Quarter-finals: Tuesday 8, Wednesday 9, Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 April
Semi-finals: Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 May
Final: Saturday 31 May (in Munich)
* Photos: UEFA
