Leverkusen v Monaco: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Article summary
"It's about time we beat Monaco," said Roger Schmidt as second welcomes first in Group E, both sides already certain of a place in the round of 16.
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Article body
- Monaco have won the group with Leverkusen guaranteed second
- Schmidt: 'We want to enjoy our last Champions League game of the calendar year'
- Jardim: 'This isn't a friendly'
- Principality side are unbeaten in five previous matches against Leverkusen (W3 D2)
- Leverkusen are unbeaten at home in UEFA competition since a 2014 loss to Monaco
- Monaco press conference scheduled for 17:45
Possible line-ups
Leverkusen: Leno; Henrichs, Jedvaj, Dragović, Wendell; Havertz, Aránguiz, Baumgartlinger, Brandt; Hernández, Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
Out: Volland (thigh), Mehmedi (groin), Kampl (foot), Bender (heel), Bellarabi (groin)
Doubtful: Ömer Toprak (knee)
Misses next match if booked: Henrichs
Monaco: De Sanctis; Jemerson, Diallo, Mendy, Raggi; Dirar, Moutinho, Bakayoko, Boschilia; Carrillo, Germain.
Out: Subašić (wrist), Falcao (rested), Bernardo Silva (rested), Fabinho (rested), Glik (rested), Sidibé (rested)
Misses next match if booked: Jemerson, Glik
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here
Roger Schmidt, Leverkusen coach
It's about time we beat Monaco. We were incredibly unfortunate to lose to them twice in last season's group stage, and we were unlucky to only get a draw from our last game against them. We want to enjoy our last Champions League game of the calendar year. After qualifying for the knockout stages, we're not under quite as much pressure as usual. We want to focus on our game and get a positive result in front of our fans.
Leonardo Jardim, Monaco coach
This isn't a friendly, despite the situation in the group. This is a Champions League group match and the only reason it's being billed as a friendly is because the two teams were strong enough to secure qualification before the final group match. A few of our younger players will be given a chance to shine tomorrow evening – it's a great opportunity for them to show what they can do at the highest level. Neither team is under huge pressure to win tomorrow, so I’m expecting a match of the highest quality.
Weekend results
Leverkusen 1-1 Freiburg (Hakan Çalhanoğlu 60; Haberer 30)
Hakan Çalhanoğlu's fourth Bundesliga goal of the campaign earned Leverkusen a point, though they are now without a victory in four matches.
Monaco 5-0 Bastia (Mbappé 10, Lemar 66, Falcao 68 73, Carrillo 79)
Monaco are ten games unbeaten in all competitions and have won six of their last seven matches. Radamel Falcao has seven Ligue 1 goals this term.
Form guide
Leverkusen: DLDLWW
Monaco: WDWWWW
Reporter's view: Matthew Howarth (@UEFAcomMattH)
Leverkusen may be through to the knockout stages of the competition, but a first home win in Group E would help lift the spirits around the BayArena following a run of three league games without a victory. The in-form Hakan Çalhanoğlu is expected to partner Javier Hernández in attack, but Finland striker Joel Pohjanpalo is also pushing for a starting berth after recovering from a broken metatarsal.
Did you know?
Monaco are unbeaten in five previous matches against Leverkusen (W3 D2). Read more in our extensive match background.