Bayer Leverkusen are one of the more fun teams to watch in the Champions League thanks to their aggressive attacking style and somewhat 'wheels off' defensive play at times. Combine that with an AS Monaco team that sold their best attacking players over the summer, and you're in for a match that could feature a fair amount of goals.
AS Monaco vs. Bayer Leverkusen, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Team news and game preview
A weakened Monaco side returns to the Champions League against Leverkusen, one of the tournament’s most exciting attacking teams.
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Key Player: Dimitar Berbatov (AS Monaco)
Monaco’s season has gotten off to an awful start and it’s not looking like things are going to get better anytime soon. After last season’s second place finish in Ligue 1, the club sold James Rodriguez to Real Madrid and sent Radamel Falcao on loan to Manchester United, leaving the cupboard a bit bare. To have any chance in the Champions League, they’ll need to score goals and that’s where Dimitar Berbatov could help, especially against a Bayer Leverkusen team that often decides that playing defense is optional.
Key Matchup: Monaco attack vs. Leverkusen defense
Chances are Bayer Leverkusen will score goals against Monaco but the real question is whether or not their defense will be able to get the job done. Monaco’s attack isn’t exactly a lethal one, but they should get some chances against the Leverkusen defense. The game may come down to whether or not Monaco can either muster up a challenge for the Germans, or keep up with them in the scoring department.
AS Monaco injuries and suspensions
Out: Aymen Abdennour (thigh), Borja López (knee), Lacina Traoré (unspecified)
Bayer Leverkusen injuries and suspensions
Out: Kyriakos Papadopoulos (shoulder), Simon Rolfes (ankle), Julian Brandt (ankle).
Leverkusen’s already questionable defense is still without Kyriakos Papadopoulos, who continues to recover from a dislocated shoulder.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Stade Louis II., Monaco
TV: Sky red button (U.K.), beIN Sports 1 (France)
Online: ESPN 3 and FOX Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), SkyGo (U.K.), Sky Go Deutschland (Germany).
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