AS Monaco find themselves in competitive action for the first time of the 2015-16 season on Tuesday when they take on Swiss side BSC Young Boys in the third round of UEFA Champions League qualifying.
Leonardo Jardim’s men enjoyed a strong run in last season’s competition, knocking out Premier League giants Arsenal, before crashing out at the quarter-final stage to eventual runners-up, Juventus.
However, a third-placed finish in Ligue 1 sees them forced to qualify for this year’s tournament, with Uli Forte’s Young Boys the first obstacle in their path.
The hosts have never played in the main draw of the Champions League, but will prove a hard nut to crack at Bern’s Stade de Suisse having dropped just 15 points at home in the Swiss Super League last season.
Tuesday’s guests Monaco are a much changed outfit from the team who narrowly lost out to Serie A champions Juve in the last eight of the 2014-15 Champions League, following the departures of Dimitar Berbatov, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Geoffrey Kondogbia.
Jardim will, however, be able to call upon new loan signing Stephan El Shaarawy. The Italy striker scored three goals in 19 appearances for Inter last season, and the promising youngster will be hoping to improve on that tally as he plies his trade in the Principality.
Speaking ahead of the match, Monaco captain Jérémy Toulalan insisted the 2004 finalists would not be taking the Swiss side lightly, but the visitors will be firm favourites to triumph in Tuesday’s first leg in what will be the first meeting between the two sides.
Forte’s side head into both legs of this encounter without star striker Guillaume Hoarau after the former Paris Saint-Germain frontman injured his hamstring on the opening day of the Swiss season.
The Monegasque’s strong backline will be crucial in Bern, with the Principality outfit proud purveyors of Ligue 1’s most miserly defence in 2014-15, having conceded just 26 goals.
The second leg will take place at the Stade Louis II on Tuesday 4 August.
AS Monaco squad to face Young Boys:
Goalkeepers: SUBASIC Danijel, BADIASHILE Loïc, NARDI Paul
Defenders: CARVALHO Ricardo, FABINHO, KURZAWA Layvin, RAGGI Andrea, TOURE Almamy, WALLACE
Midfielders: BAKAYOKO Tiemoué, DIRAR Nabil, LEMAR Thomas, MOUTINHO Joao, PASALIC Mario, TOULALAN Jérémy, TRAORÉ Adama
Forwards: BAHLOULI Fares, CAVALEIRO Ivan, CARRILLO Guido, EL SHAARAWY Stephan, MARTIAL Anthony
