Monaco vs Nantes (mónaco - nantes): Live updates, kickoff time (ET), projected XIs and what to watch in Ligue 1
Monaco look to steady a stuttering run while Nantes chase vital points in the survival fight as the sides meet at Stade Louis-II on Friday, February 13, with kickoff at 5: 05 p. m. ET. The hosts seek momentum ahead of a looming European tie, while the visitors arrive under mounting pressure in the bottom three.
The mood in the Principality
Monaco enter the night in need of a reset. A scoreless draw with Nice halted a run of setbacks in part, but elimination from the Coupe de France against Strasbourg underlined how fragile form has been. Sitting 10th on 28 points, the margin for error has narrowed if the Principality club hope to revive European ambitions over the run-in. Under head coach Sébastien Pocognoli, the task is to turn control of possession into sharper end product and to cut out lapses that have proven costly in recent weeks.
The timing amplifies the stakes. The match falls on the eve of the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs against Paris Saint-Germain, a tie that will demand composure, fitness management, and a shot of confidence. A convincing display here would go a long way toward setting the tone.
Nantes’ urgency in the drop zone
Nantes make the trip in peril, second-bottom on 14 points and in need of any foothold they can find. Recent defeats to Nice, Lorient, and Lyon have left little margin as the campaign enters its decisive third. Ahmed Kantari’s side must stiffen defensively—nine goals conceded in their last four league outings highlight the issue—while finding a reliable scoring route to ease pressure. Even a point away to Monaco would carry weight given their current trajectory, but the objective remains bolder: halt the slide and spark a turnaround.
Form guide: mónaco - nantes at a glance
Across their last four league fixtures, Monaco have one win, one draw, and two defeats, with an even goals record (six scored, six conceded). For Nantes, the picture is tougher: three losses and one win in the same span, five scored and nine conceded. The home side have generally held the edge in this matchup. Over the last five league meetings, Monaco have taken three wins with two draws. The most recent clash, on October 29, produced a goal-laden 5-3 success for Monaco on the road.
Projected lineups and key players
Both managers are expected to lean on familiar cores while keeping one eye on freshness—especially the hosts with a European date to follow. Late tweaks remain possible.
Monaco projected XI: Philipp Köhn; Jordan Teze, Denis Zakaria, Thilo Kehrer, Krépin Diatta; Lamine Camara, Aladji Bamba; Simon Adingra, Maghnes Akliouche, Aleksandr Golovin; Folarin Balogun.
Nantes projected XI: Anthony Lopes; Kélvin Amian, Ali Youssef, Nicolas Cozza, Fabien Centonze; Mohamed Kaba, Johann Lepenant, Dehmaine Assoumani; Rémy Cabella, Mostafa Mohamed, Matthis Abline.
For Monaco, Folarin Balogun’s movement in behind and Aleksandr Golovin’s supply between the lines are central to unlocking a deep block. Maghnes Akliouche’s ball-carrying can tilt the final third in the hosts’ favor if he finds space in the right half-channel. Nantes’ danger often runs through Mostafa Mohamed’s penalty-area presence, while Rémy Cabella’s creativity provides variation. Stabilizing the back line and managing transitions will be essential for the visitors to keep this within reach.
Kickoff, venue and officiating
The match kicks off at 5: 05 p. m. ET on Friday, February 13, at Stade Louis-II in Monaco. Eric Wattellier has been assigned as the referee. The setting typically rewards proactive sides, but game state could be decisive: an early Monaco goal would force Nantes to open up, while a tense, narrow start would suit the visitors as they look to frustrate and counter.
What the table means tonight
Monaco’s current position leaves them chasing a late-season surge to re-enter the European conversation. With the league awarding three points for a win and a streamlined 18-team slate, momentum now carries outsized value. A slip at home would not only bruise confidence ahead of the continental tie, it would also tighten the cluster in mid-table. For Nantes, the equation is starker: points are needed to climb out of the bottom two and avoid being drawn deeper into the relegation fight, with the specter of the play-off looming just above the trapdoor. A disciplined display and efficiency at set pieces could be their path to a precious result.
With contrasting ambitions but shared urgency, Monaco vs Nantes arrives at a pivotal juncture for both. Expect the hosts to press for control and tempo, and the visitors to measure risk, hunt transitions, and lean on resilience. The margins, as ever in February, feel thin—and the consequences meaningful.
