Psg - Mónaco: Luis Enrique must choose whether to protect the lead or attack in return leg
The return playoff between psg - mónaco comes with PSG protecting a 3-2 lead from the first leg and a hostile mission from the Principality on Wednesday 25 de febrero at Parque de los Príncipes. The narrow advantage forces a tactical decision that will shape who advances to the Champions League knockout rounds.
Psg - Mónaco: a 3-2 first leg and the moments that decided it
The first leg finished 3-2 in PSG's favor after an explosive start for Mónaco: Folarin Balogun scored twice inside the opening 20 minutes to put the visitors ahead 2-0. The match turned when Aleksandr Golovin received a red card, and PSG responded with a goal from Achraf Hakimi plus two strikes from Désiré Doué to complete the comeback and secure the 3-2 scoreline.
Lineups and officials confirmed
The clubs announced starting elevens and match control for the return. The Romanian referee István Kovács will take charge of the game. Confirmed XIs named for the match are:
- XI del PSG: Safonov; Achraf, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Neves, Zaire-Emery; Kvaratskhelia, Doue y Barcola.
- XI del Mónaco: Kohn, Vanderson, Kehrer, Zakaria, Faes, Caio Henrique; Akliouche, Camara, Bamba, Coulibaly y Balogun. Ansu is named as a substitute.
Recent form, key fitness notes and what to watch
Both teams arrive with recent wins in league play: PSG followed the first-leg victory with a 3-0 home win over Metz, while Mónaco posted a 3-2 win over Lens. Those results underline that both sides can respond under pressure — PSG to consolidate its 3-2 lead and Mónaco to chase the comeback in Paris.
Fitness and selection questions also hang over the tie. Ousmane Dembélé is listed as doubtful for the return, and if he does not recover, Ramos could be drafted into the starting eleven. The selection of that forward will affect whether Luis Enrique sets up PSG to close down space and protect the aggregate lead or to press for early control and a goal that would all but seal progression.
Tactical stakes at Parque de los Príncipes and next steps
With a one-goal advantage, PSG arrives at Parque de los Príncipes as favorite and with the responsibility to manage the tie, while the team from the Principality, led by Pocognoli, travels to Paris intent on overturning the deficit. The match referee István Kovács will oversee a fixture in which any early goal could force immediate tactical shifts from both benches.
The return leg is scheduled for Wednesday 25 de febrero at Parque de los Príncipes; that match will decide which side moves on from the playoffs to the Champions League knockout phase. Lineups, the referee István Kovács and the confirmed match date are the next concrete items fans and teams will act on as kickoff approaches.
