Monaco vs Freiburg: Preview
We have the lineups for the Monaco vs Freiburg match in the second leg of the common stage of the 2026/27 Conference League. Both teams started strong in their domestic leagues, but have recently slipped a bit. In the Conference League, they are both among the main favorites.
Key Points
Monaco
1. After a spectacular start in the league, Monaco is losing ground
After the first matches of the season, Filipe Luís’s side looked like a genuine contender, at least for a good fight against PSG in the league. The early results proved it: a home win over Marseille (1–0) and, especially, a victory over Paris at the Parc des Princes (2–1). However, after the international break, the Monaco side seems to have changed course. In Ligue 1 they only earned one point against modest opponents: Toulouse (2–2) and Lorient (0–1), losing the top spot in the table. In the Conference League, things are better: in the first match they beat CSKA Sofia away (2–1).
2. Possible light squad rotation before two important league matches
Filipe Luís experimented with the squad in the first common stage match: Alexander Golovin, Nazinju and Denis Zakaria came off the bench. The Monaco side will almost certainly occupy a good spot in the Conference League common stage, and before them are the league matches against Lille and the progressive Paris. Therefore, another rotation is possible. In recent times, Ansu Fati has received a lot of playing time, and with the injury of Stanis Idumbo Mzambo, his exit is likely again. Paris Brunner returns after a suspension in the league.
3. Monaco makes many defensive errors
Even in Conference League matches against teams of Gurnik level and CSKA Sofia, the Monaco side failed to keep a clean sheet on three occasions. The team faltered defensively against Toulouse, allowing the opponent to take a 2–0 to 2–2. Despite Filipe Luís’s solid partnership with Atlético, his style of play is offensive, suggesting defensive risks early on. In official matches under the Brazilian’s direction, Monaco has kept a clean sheet only twice: at home against crisis Marseille and against Gavro, who sits last in Ligue 1.
Freiburg
1. Freiburg started strong and only lost their first match in the last round of the season
Bayer Leverkusen remains one of the most played teams in German football. This helped them at the start of the season: the protégés of Julian Schuster secured four big wins in the first six official matches. They had not beaten big rivals, and losses came in away matches against strong opponents: 2–2 with Eintracht and 1–2 with Bayern in the last round. So far, Freiburg only trails Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, so the start can be described as very successful. In the Conference League, the Germans began the main phase with a win over Jablonec (3–2).
2. Julian Schuster can also rotate in the Conference League In the match against Jablonec, Bayer Leverkusen played with an extremely experimental squad. Only Mattias Ginter appeared in the main defense. In midfield, Yannick Engelhardt spent the whole match on the bench. The winger Siryak Irie, who had been in recovery, got playing time. Only with the entry of Igor Matanoch. Given the more skilled competition, Freiburg’s rotation will not be total. Deri Sherchant, who has reached the German national team, should get playing time. In the match against Bayern, Yuto Suzuki, who received a red card in the last Bundesliga match, had to rest.
3. Freiburg scores in every match of the season Bayer Leverkusen surprisingly has become one of the most prolific teams this season in the top leagues. In ten official matches, the team has already scored thirty goals in all competitions, and that without the main star. Among clubs outside the Champions League, Freiburg and Brighton impress most with their offensive play. Moreover, Bayer Leverkusen has no clearly dominant scorer: five players have scored three goals each, and the best assist provider: in the Bundesliga, Diri Sherchant, Mattias Ginter and Jordi Macengo have each made three assists, with the last two being defenders.
Estimated lineups
4-2-3-1-4-2-3-1-1
Gradzicki 22
Salisu 72
Sane 13
Mavisssa 4
Tese 6
Zakaria 37
Diop 31
Fati 10
Golovin 18
Minamino 29
Brunner 1
Bachhaus 28
Ginter 37
Rosenfelder 29
Troy 30
Günter 8
Eggschtaine 6
Ostergahge 19
Beste 14
Sudzuki 7
Sherchant 31
Matanoch
Trending bets
In five of the last seven matches of Monaco and five of the last seven matches of Freiburg, both teams scored. OZ – for 1.6.
In four of the last seven matches of Monaco and six of the last seven matches of Freiburg, at least three goals were scored. TB 2.5 – for 1.73.
Prediction
Monaco vs Freiburg 22.10.2026 23:00
After the successful start of the league, Monaco is losing ground – after the international break the team lost victories over Toulouse and lost to Lorient. Alexander Golovin should appear at the start, despite the rotation carried out by Filipe Luís in the first common stage game of the Conference League. Monaco makes many defensive errors – they could not keep a clean sheet even against Gurnik and CSKA Sofia.
Freiburg has had an impressive start. Julian Schuster’s team scored 30 goals in ten matches, once led the Bundesliga table and is now third, losing points in matches with Eintracht and Bayern. Bayer Leverkusen will also rotate the squad, and is no weaker at home – five players have scored three goals this year, and winger Diri Sherchant has reached the German national team.
In the match, teams with an attack that clearly outmatches the defense are expected to draw with goals. Prediction: 2–2
