Monaco will turn from the Mediterranean coast to Europe on Thursday, when Filipe Luís’s side welcome Freiburg to Stade Louis II in a Conference League league-phase meeting carrying early importance for both clubs.
Key takeaways
- Monaco and Freiburg each began their Conference League campaigns with three points.
- The match is scheduled for Thursday, 22 October 2026, with kick-off at 16:00 Brasília time.
- Monaco beat CSKA Sofia 2-1 away in their opening European fixture.
- Freiburg opened with a 3-2 home victory over Jablonec.
- Both teams arrive after their first domestic defeats of the season.
European response at Stade Louis II
Filipe Luís’s Monaco were beaten 1-0 at Lorient on Sunday, ending their unbeaten start to the French season. The result moved the principality club from first to fifth in the league, although their 14 points leave them level with the four teams above them and separated only by goal difference.
Europe offers an immediate chance to reset. Monaco travelled to Sofia for their first Conference League fixture and came away with a 2-1 win over CSKA Sofia, putting them among the early group of clubs on three points.
Freiburg make the trip from southern Germany in a similar position. Julian Schuster’s team lost 2-1 to Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday after surrendering their lead, their first reverse of the campaign. They remain third in the Bundesliga on 13 points, one behind joint leaders Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
The German side had started their European run with a five-goal contest against Jablonec, winning 3-2. Thursday’s match in Monaco therefore brings together two teams seeking to turn domestic disappointment into a second continental victory.
Match details and expected teams
- Date: Thursday, 22 October 2026
- Venue: Stade Louis II, Monaco
- Kick-off: 16:00 Brasília time
- Competition: Conference League league phase
- Broadcast: CazéTV
Monaco are expected to start with Lukáš Hrádecký in goal, behind Vanderson, Sadibou Sané, Mohammed Salisu and Flávio Nazinho. Denis Zakaria, Lamine Camara and Aleksandr Golovin could form the midfield, with Takumi Minamino, Ansu Fati and Matthis Abline leading the attack.
Freiburg’s likely side features Mio Backhaus; Philipp Treu, Matthias Ginter, Philipp Lienhart and Jordy Makengo; Maximilian Eggestein, Yannik Engelhardt and Jan-Niklas Beste; plus Derry Scherhant, Keisuke Goto and Igor Matanović.
