Champions League line-ups: Monaco vs. Juventus
There is no Kenan Yildiz in the Juventus starting line-up for Wednesday night’s final Champions League league phase fixture against AS Monaco, as Luciano Spalletti makes a few surprising selections at the Stade Louis II.
Kick-off is due at 20.00 GMT.
The Bianconeri had a dismal start to the Champions League, scraping three draws from the first four games, but have since won three on the bounce against Bodo/Glimt, Pafos and Benfica. Confidence is also booming following Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Napoli in Serie A.
They go into this final round of the league phase in 15th place, on the same points as Inter and in the seeded spots of the play-offs.
Following a run of starts for Jonathan David, it is Openda’s turn to lead the attack, supported by Francisco Conceicao and Fabio Mirettie. Yildiz is not included in the starting line-up on this occasion.
Teun Koopmeiners takes the midfield slot alongside Khephren Thuram, sending Manuel Locatelli to the bench because he is on a yellow card.
Dusan Vlahovic, whose birthday it is today, and Daniele Rugani are still out injured.
AS Monaco sit in 21st place on just nine points, fresh from a humiliating 6-1 loss to Real Madrid.
However, their home form is strong, unbeaten here this season against Manchester City and Tottenham, beating Galatasaray 1-0.
Injuries are piling up, including for former Juve midfielder Pogba, plus Lucas Hradecky, Eric Dier, Takumi Minamino and Mohammed Salisu.
Denis Zakaria faces his old club after a brief stay with the Old Lady, but striker Folarin Balogun is backed by Aleksandr Golovin and Maghnes Akliouche.
Monaco vs. Juventus line-ups
Monaco: Kohn; Vanderson, Kehrer, Teze, C.Henrique; Zakaria, Camara; Akliouche, Coulibaly, Golovin; Balogun
Juventus: Perin; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cabal; Koopmeiners, Thuram; Conceicao, Miretti, McKennie; Openda
Ref: Sanchez (ESP)