How have Monaco played since the first leg?
Monaco have won all four of their matches across all competitions since the first leg. They ground out a 2-1 win away at Guingamp, needed extra time to see off Marseille in the Coupe de France, thumped Nantes and edged Bordeaux. Although Leonardo Jardim probably would have liked to have avoided extra time in Marseille, I am sure he is pleased with the way his players reacted to defeat in Manchester.
Is City’s two-goal advantage enough?
Considering how strong Monaco are in attack, possibly not. However, the loss of Kamil Glik at the back for this return leg will certainly affect Les Monegasques’ rearguard. Like in the first leg, Jardim’s men will probably not find it too hard to score but it might prove tougher for them to keep City out over the 90 minutes.
The principality outfit have it in them to beat Pep Guardiola’s troops by two clear goals but the question is this: how many goals the Citizens will be able to get against a weakened home back line?
What did the French press make of the first game and how do they rate Monaco’s chances on Wednesday?
Generally, the French press were impressed by Monaco’s ability to go to Etihad Stadium and score three times but a bit perplexed by City grabbing the three late goals. Many felt the turning point in the match was Willy Caballero saving Radamel Falcao’s penalty five minutes into the second half and it is hard to disagree, even if the Colombian did score later in the game.
The domestic press are still optimistic for the second leg but aware that Guardiola’s men hold the upper hand for now. Crucially, they are not as fatalistic as they were before Paris Saint-Germain’s second leg in Barcelona and certainly not almost willing a City win in the way some were for Barca.
Mbappe was sensational at the Etihad and he impressed again at the weekend. Is he the best young player in France and how can City stop him?
I cannot think of a brighter young talent in France right and the chances are that if somebody gives you the name of a player other than Mbappe, it might well be Thomas Lemar, Tiemoue Bakayoko or even Benjamin Mendy.
Monaco boast an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the best young domestic talents and for me, Mbappe is the brightest youngster in France right now. Jardim knows his side need to score and do so as early as possible, so it would not surprise me if he starts at Stade Louis II on Wednesday. It will be hard for City to stop him but if they can cut off the hosts’ supply line to the attackers, that will be a start. However, it might be better advice for Guardiola’s men to just go out and look for some away goals of their own to best combat the threat Mbappe poses.
Falcao suffered a hip injury at the weekend but he looks like being fit. He gives Monaco a real cutting edge, doesn’t he?
Falcao does give Monaco a cutting edge, not to mention experience, but the Colombian would not be missed as much as Bernardo Silva or Thomas Lemar. I feel that Silva, in particular, is absolutely key for Jardim’s side and without him, Les Monegasques would face a real uphill task to qualify.
That said, Falcao did score two of the three goals in Manchester and has clearly been reborn since his unsuccessful spells in the Premier League with Manchester United and Chelsea. If he is not fit enough to start, he will be missed.
Jonathan Johnson is ESPN FC &beIN Sports USA’s French football specialist. You can follow him on Twitter @Jon_LeGossip
There will be full coverage of Monaco v Manchester City on mancity.com and across the club’s digital channels.
