The stage is set for a highly anticipated clash as Paris Saint-Germain, currently sitting second in Ligue 1, prepares to face AS Monaco, who are in eighth place. This crucial encounter is the first leg of the 2025-2026 Champions League playoff, with the return fixture scheduled for Wednesday, February 25th. Football fans across the globe will be tuning in to witness this European-calibre match, which, despite being a playoff, carries the intensity and flavour of a domestic Ligue 1 showdown.
Monaco has a history of stepping up on big European nights, and Paris Saint-Germain will need to be acutely aware of this. The Parisians suffered a 1-0 defeat against Monaco in their league encounter back in December, a result that serves as a stark reminder that this playoff tie is far from a guaranteed victory. This is not simply another match; it’s a challenging and pivotal fixture in their quest for Champions League progression.
The Stakes for PSG
For PSG, the objective is clear: to reach the Round of 16. Their potential opponents in the next stage include formidable clubs like Chelsea or FC Barcelona. Falling short of this goal would undoubtedly be a significant disappointment for the Parisian giants. Therefore, securing a strong positive result in this first leg is paramount. They must approach the game with unwavering determination and clinical efficiency to avoid a precarious situation heading into the return leg.
Monaco’s Ambitions
On the other side, Monaco will be pouring all their efforts into securing a favourable outcome. A qualification for the next round would provide a massive morale boost for the club, particularly during what has been a challenging season for them. They will be eager to leverage their home advantage at the Stade Louis II and frustrate their more illustrious opponents.
Probable Lineups
To give you a clearer picture of how these two formidable sides might line up, here are the predicted formations:
AS Monaco (4-2-3-1):
* Striker: Balogun
* Attacking Midfielders: Adingra, Golovin, Akliouche
* Central Midfielders: Zakaria, Camara
* Defenders: Henrique, Faes, Kehrer, Vanderson
* Goalkeeper: Köhn
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3):
* Forwards: Barcola, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia
* Midfielders: Neves, Vitinha, Zaïre-Emery
* Defenders: Mendes, Pacho, Marquinhos, Hakimi
* Goalkeeper: Safonov
Where and When to Watch Monaco vs. PSG
Football enthusiasts around the world will have various options to catch this exciting Champions League playoff match. The game is scheduled to kick off at 9 pm CET this Tuesday, February 17th.
Here’s a breakdown of broadcast times and channels in different regions:
- France: Canal+
- Portugal: Sport TV, DAZN
- United Kingdom: TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Video
- Spain: Telefonica
- USA: Paramount+, TUDN, DAZN
- Australia: Stan Sport
- Canada: DAZN
- Latin America: ESPN
- Brazil: TNT Sports, SBT
- India: Sony
- Africa: SuperSport, Canal+ or New World TV
- Turkey: TRT
- Arab Countries: beIN Sports Arabia
- Indonesia: beIN Sports, SCTV
- China: iQYI
- Republic of Korea: SPO TV
- Japan: WOWOW
Local times for broadcast are:
* 12:00 PT
* 15:00 ET
* 20:00 GMT
* 21:00 BST
* 21:00 CET
This match promises to be a captivating display of European football, with both teams vying for a crucial advantage in their pursuit of Champions League glory. The tactical battles, individual brilliance, and sheer determination on display will undoubtedly make for compelling viewing.
