Paris Brunner has helped carry Monaco to the top of Ligue 1, but the German forward will not be on the pitch when Toulouse arrive at the Stade Louis-II for the sixth matchday.
The move
Monaco are working to extend Brunner’s contract after his rapid start to the campaign. The young striker returned in the summer following a loan spell with Cercle Bruges and has scored four league goals already.
His finishing has been central to Monaco’s early run. The Principality club have not always overwhelmed opponents, yet they have repeatedly found a way through, taking four wins and one draw from their opening five matches.
Brunner will miss the Toulouse game, as well as Monaco’s trip to Lorient on October 18, after his celebration against Strasbourg. His absence offers Toulouse a potential opening against the league leaders.
- Paris Brunner — Monaco forward with four Ligue 1 goals
- AS Monaco — Ligue 1 leaders after five matches
- Toulouse — 13th before the trip to Monaco
The French season around it
Toulouse travel to the Côte d’Azur in 13th place and with a demanding sequence already behind them. They have faced Lille in a 1-0 defeat and Lyon in a 2-0 loss, with another severe test now waiting in Monaco.
A draw at Louis-II would be valuable before a difficult run of fixtures. Toulouse are due to meet Marseille on November 1, Strasbourg on November 6, Lens on November 21, Rennes on November 29 and Paris Saint-Germain on December 5.
For Monaco, the challenge is to protect first place without the forward who has supplied much of their sharpness in front of goal. For Toulouse, Brunner’s enforced absence may make the gap between 13th and the summit feel slightly less daunting.
