Monaco closed seven weeks of intensive preseason preparations with a sense of momentum as they approach the Ligue 1 curtain-raiser against Le Havre this Saturday at the Stade Louis-II.
A productive run with convincing results
Monaco’s preseason featured five wins, two draws and a single defeat, underscoring a positive build-up. The friendly wins came against Cercle Brugge (1-0), Coventry City (5-0), Arminia Bielefeld (3-0) and two wins over Torino (3-1, 3-1), while they also played out draws with Nottingham Forest (0-0) and Ajax (2-2). They finished with a narrow loss to Inter Milan (1-2). Across the eight fixtures, the Rouge et Blanc hit 18 goals from 10 different scorers and conceded six, signaling a balanced preseason.
A memorable final test in front of the home crowd
The last warm-up match, against European runners-up Inter Milan, drew a crowd of over 13,000 to Stade Louis-II. The evening brought a standout moment from Maghnes Akliouche, who netted five preseason goals and highlighted the squad’s attacking potential as the team was presented before kickoff. With the league opener looming, tickets for the Le Havre clash have been selling well, signaling strong support as the season begins.
New faces and familiar ambitions
Monaco’s squad has undergone notable changes this summer, with four new signings joining the club. Among them, Eric Dier arrived from Bayern Munich, bringing experience and composure to the defense and ball progression. In midfield, the experienced Paul Pogba and electrifying Ansu Fati are expected to add creativity and depth, while Lukáš Hradecký joined from Bayer Leverkusen and started in goal against Inter.
The club also staged an England-based training camp at St. George’s Park, mirroring a setup from two seasons ago. The camp provided additional fitness work and integration time, with two young players from La Diagonale earning professional debuts during the camp: Aladji Bamba (204 minutes) and Pape Cabral (53 minutes).
Contract extension and commitment
A key highlight off the pitch was Mika Biereth’s contract extension, tying him to Monaco until 2030. The Danish striker adapted quickly to Ligue 1 last season, scoring 13 goals in 16 appearances, and continued to find the net during preseason (four goals), reinforcing his role as a core part of the team’s project.
New kits and squad numbers
Mizuno unveiled Monaco’s new kits ahead of the season. The Home kit retains the club’s classic diagonal red and white motif, now boasting a redesigned Japanese-style collar for a contemporary look. The Away kit is blue, inspired by the Blue Samurai and Monaco’s ties with Japan, with the Japan garden at the heart of the design.
There were also changes to squad numbers. George Ilenkhena switched to 19, Aladji Bamba took the 23 shirt, and the foundation of the squad numbers was reshaped as follows: Lukáš Hradecký kept the number 1, Eric Dier moved to 3, Paul Pogba will wear 8, and Ansu Fati was assigned 31, a nod to his birth date (October 31, 2002). Lucas Michal updated his number as part of the reshuffle, aligning with his on-field responsibilities, while other players also adjusted their numbers as the squad settled into the new season.
Outlook and takeaway
The preseason underscored Monaco’s potential across the pitch: a solid defensive base, a varied and prolific attack, and a growing sense of cohesion with several high-profile signings bringing experience and creativity. The combination of a strong European-friendly schedule, a productive training camp in England, and key contract confirmations sets the stage for a confident start to the Ligue 1 campaign.
Summary
Monaco’s seven-week preseason produced positive signals: efficient scoring with multiple contributors, a sturdy defense, and meaningful integration of new signings. The firm foundation laid during training and warm-up matches positions the Rouge et Blanc well as they aim to kick off the league with momentum against Le Havre.
A hopeful note
With an experienced spine and exciting new talents, Monaco looks poised for a strong season ahead. If the new signings settle quickly and the forward line keeps firing, they could push for a competitive campaign both domestically and in Europe.