Our next opponents: AS Monaco

Read on for an update on our next opponents:

 Position

Monaco are doing well. Since the start of the season AS have been challenging at the top of Ligue 1 and they are currently in second spot after a 2-1 win against Angers. The Champions League campaign has also progressed well up to now. Monaco knocked out Fenerbahce in the third qualifying round and then went on to beat Villarreal in the play-offs. On the first matchday in Group E Tottenham Hotspur experienced the confidence of Association Sportive with the visitors winning 2-1 in front of a crowd of 85,000 at Wembley.

Personnel

Radamel Falcao has been the centre of attention since the start of the season. After promotion in 2013 the Colombian wore the white and red shirt and his goals played a significant part in making progress in Europe's premier club competition. After gaining experience at Manchester United and Chelsea he is now back and Monaco's vice president Vasilyev holds a firm opinion on the player. "He's the same Falcao as before. He scores, is up for it and motivated. I think this will be his year." The only difference: The long mane, Falcao's trademark, has gone now he has reached 30

Potential

Thomas Lemar is a name to remember. The 20-year-old from the French Antilles island of Guadeloupe has been an immediate hit this term. He has scored twice in the league plus a goal against Tottenham at Wembley Stadium. The left-winger is not the only top player at AS Monaco. The central midfield built around Portuguese European champion Joao Moutinho and Fabinho plus Bernardo Silva are all top class European players.

Problems

There haven't been many so far but they know why that is in the home of the House of Grimaldi. Without Dmitry Rybovlev AS and the pride of Prince Albert II would probably have vanished into thin air. The Russian potash oligarch is amongst the richest people on earth and in 2011 he bought Monaco when they were struggling with their backs to the wall in the second division. Now he is president, has brought stars like James Rodriguez to the Côte d'Azur and that has its own price – in two senses. FIFA are looking at the club from the perspective of financial fair play.

Prediction

And for that reason, the really big stars – in contrast to the eternal rivals from Paris – no longer play in the principality. Coach Leonardo Jardim has built a team without losing key players and succeeded in playing good football at the Stade Louis II four years. AS are capable of winning their long-awaited first league title since 2000 (back then with a team including Barthez, Sagnol, Christanval, Riise, Giuly and Trézéguet). And in the Champions League? Anything seems possible in Group E.