Maghnes Akliouche likely to start for Monaco at PSG in Champions League play-off second leg | OneFootball

Maghnes Akliouche is in line to return for Monaco at PSG in Wednesday’s Champions League play-off second leg, 21:00, after missing the win at Lens to protect a hip problem.

He trained with the squad at La Turbie on Sunday and is expected to start in Paris. According to L'Équipe, he picked it up 10 days ago against Nantes, went off before the break, then played in the 2-3 first leg four days later.

On Saturday, Monaco came from 0-2 down at the hour to beat Lens 3-2 without Akliouche.

Sébastien Pocognoli will be without at least seven players. Lukas Hradecky, Eric Dier, Takumi Minamino, Mohammed Salisu, Paul Pogba and Pape Cabral are out or returning, and Alexander Golovine is suspended after his first-leg red card.

Two others are doubts. Krépin Diatta injured his right thigh against Lens and was replaced by Aladji Bamba on 31 minutes, leaving his presence at the Parc highly uncertain. Christian Mawissa could rejoin the squad this week, with a Monday call on whether he returns in Europe or, more likely, at Angers on Saturday, 19:00.

Monaco will train on Monday and Tuesday morning, then fly to the capital on Tuesday afternoon. The first leg was a four-two-three-one with Denis Zakaria in midfield, but the Lens win came in a three-four-three with the captain at centre-back, so his role and the system are central calls. Vanderson is available after suspension, useful if Diatta does miss out.

Source: L'Équipe