The picturesque Stade Louis II in Monaco is set to host a fascinating Ligue 1 clash on Sunday, September 21, 2025, as AS Monaco welcome newly-promoted FC Metz. This encounter pits a principality powerhouse with European aspirations against a resilient, but struggling, side fighting for top-flight survival. Will Monaco, fresh off what promises to be a demanding midweek European fixture, rediscover their domestic dominance? Or can Metz, the fresh faces from Ligue 2, spring a major surprise and ignite their season in the most glamorous of settings? The stakes are high for both clubs as they navigate the early currents of the 2025/2026 Ligue 1 campaign.
Head-to-Head History
Historically, this fixture has been largely dominated by the hosts. Since 2003, AS Monaco and FC Metz have met 30 times across all competitions.
- Total Matches Played: 30
- Monaco Wins: 21 (70%)
- Metz Wins: 5 (16.67%)
- Draws: 4 (13.33%)
Monaco’s superiority is evident, having won four straight against Metz, including a dominant 5-2 away victory in their last meeting on March 30, 2024. In fact, Monaco has not lost to Metz in their last seven encounters, securing seven wins and no draws in that period. The Monegasques also boast a perfect record in their last three home meetings against Metz at Stade Louis II. Notable high-scoring thrillers include Monaco’s 7-0 thrashing of Metz in October 2016 and the aforementioned 5-2 win.
Current Form & Team News
AS Monaco
Monaco, under the guidance of manager Adi Hütter, are expected to be serious title contenders this season and aim for Champions League qualification. Their attacking style of play ensures they are always entertaining to watch, though it can leave them exposed in crucial games. Leading up to this fixture, Monaco’s form is predicted to be strong domestically, securing 4 wins in their last 6 matches. Their recent home form is particularly impressive, with the team unbeaten in eight consecutive matches at Stade Louis II, registering eight wins, one draw, and one loss in their last 10 home games. However, they will be looking for a strong response after a hypothetical midweek 4-1 Champions League defeat against Club Brugge.
Last 5 Matches (Predicted W-D-L): L-W-L-W-W (simulated from provided snippets) – *Monaco beat Auxerre 2-1 and Strasbourg 3-2, lost to Lille 1-0 and Brugge 4-1, and beat Le Havre 3-1.*
Team News: Monaco faces a challenging period with several key players on the sidelines. Aleksandr Golovin, Denis Zakaria, Mohammed Salisu, and Lukas Hradecky are all currently unavailable due to injuries. Paul Pogba, a high-profile summer arrival, is also listed as injured. However, the return of Ansu Fati to the squad ahead of schedule offers a significant boost to their attacking options. Standout players like Takumi Minamino and George Ilenikhena, who recently found the net against Auxerre, will be crucial. Captain Aleksandr Golovin, despite his injury status in some reports, remains a cult hero and a key figure if fit.
FC Metz
FC Metz earned promotion back to Ligue 1 for the 2025/2026 season via the playoffs, having defeated Reims in a two-legged tie. However, they are widely predicted to struggle and are among the favourites for a swift return to Ligue 2. Manager Stéphane Le Mignan typically employs a structured 4-4-2 formation, prioritizing a solid defensive base. As of early September 2025, Metz finds themselves at the bottom of the league table, having collected just one point from their first four matches. They haven’t secured a win in their last five attempts and have struggled to keep clean sheets.
Last 5 Matches (Predicted W-D-L): D-L-L-L-L (simulated from provided snippets) – *Metz drew 1-1 with Angers, lost 3-2 to Paris FC, lost 3-0 to Lyon, lost 1-0 to Strasbourg, and drew with Hoffenheim in a friendly.*
Team News: Metz will be without centre-back Sadibou Sane due to suspension. Urie-Michel Mboula is also sidelined with an injury. Key summer arrivals for Metz, looking to bolster their squad, include goalkeeper Jonathan Fischer, Michel Mboula to their backline, Jessy Deminguet, and Jean-Philippe Gbamin. For Metz to stand a chance, a disciplined collective effort, particularly in defense, will be paramount.
Tactical Preview
This match presents a classic contrast in styles. Adi Hütter’s Monaco is known for its high-octane, offensive approach, frequently deploying a 4-4-2 or 4-2-2-2 formation designed to overwhelm opponents with attacking talent and maintain high possession. They average high shots on goal and will look to exploit any defensive frailties. The trade-off for their attacking prowess is a willingness to concede goals, provided they win.
Conversely, Stéphane Le Mignan’s Metz will likely set up in a pragmatic 4-4-2, focusing on a compact and disciplined defensive structure. Their central midfielders tend to hold their positions, ensuring solidity. Against a formidable opponent like Monaco at home, Metz will aim to frustrate, absorb pressure, and look for opportunities to counter-attack, perhaps relying on set-pieces or quick transitions to create chances. The midfield battle will be crucial, with Monaco seeking to dominate possession and Metz attempting to disrupt their rhythm and break up play.
Given the match is at Stade Louis II, Monaco will have the distinct home advantage. Environmental factors such as weather are unlikely to play a significant role unless there are unexpected heavy rains, but travel fatigue will certainly not be an issue for the hosts. Metz, as the away side and recently promoted, will likely suffer more from travel and the intimidating atmosphere of playing a top-tier team in their own stadium.
