Folarin Balogun form gives Monaco hope of unsettling PSG in Champions League | OneFootball

Folarin Balogun’s form has put him at the heart of Monaco’s Champions League push. After a brace in the play-off first leg against PSG and another decisive display in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Lens, he is their spearhead. L'Équipe notes he has become Monaco’s standout in Europe.

Before this season he had only three Champions League cameos, early last term, before recurring left-shoulder injuries. Now fit, he has strung games together and driven an ASM that has looked sharper in Europe than domestically.

He has five goals in this Champions League, half of Monaco’s total. He struck the only goal at Bodö/Glimt on 4 November and the winner against Galatasaray on 9 December. He then scored both in the 2-3 loss to PSG in the first leg, with Monaco’s first two and only chances.

Valère Germain expects Luis Enrique to focus on Balogun, citing his pace, confidence and link play. He says Balogun leads the press, keeps the ball and helps raise the block. With PSG likely to see most of it, he may get few chances, but he uses them well.

Signed in summer 2023, he began behind Wissam Ben Yedder, then lost rhythm through injuries in his second season. This third campaign has taken off, especially since Sébastien Pocognoli’s October arrival made him first choice. Mika Biereth is now back-up, George Ilenikhena has gone to Al-Ittihad, and with Balogun’s runs in behind Monaco could yet unsettle PSG at the Parc des Princes.

Source: L'Équipe