AS Monaco vs Man City Lineups: Confirmed Starting XI and Recap

When the Champions League draw paired AS Monaco with Manchester City, the fixture promised fireworks. On 1 October 2025 at Stade Louis II, both teams delivered a 2-2 thriller that swung on an Erling Haaland brace and a stoppage-time penalty from an unlikely hero.

Match Result: Monaco 2-2 Manchester City ·
Date: 1 October 2025 ·
Competition: UEFA Champions League Group Stage ·
Erling Haaland (Goals): 2 ·
Eric Dier (Goal): 1 penalty equalizer

The clubs have met before in the Champions League, with the 2017 tie producing an aggregate scoreline that remains a benchmark for drama.

The 2017 tie remains a benchmark for drama: Monaco advanced on away goals after a 6-6 aggregate. The 2025 draw suggests these sides know how to entertain.

Who scored for Man City today against Monaco?

Erling Haaland scored both of Manchester City’s goals in the 15th and 44th minutes, according to the ESPN match report. The Norwegian striker capitalised on a defensive lapse for the opener and added a clinical second before half-time. Monaco replied through Jordan Teze in the 18th minute, and Eric Dier levelled from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time.

Erling Haaland’s double

• 15th minute: Haaland fired low past Köhn after a through ball from Bernardo Silva (ESPN match report)
• 44th minute: Haaland tapped in a rebound from close range (ESPN match report)

Eric Dier’s penalty equalizer

Monaco defender Eric Dier – who started the match in central defence – scored the equaliser from the spot in the 90th minute after a handball decision. UEFA line-ups page confirms Dier was in Monaco’s starting XI.

Match summary

The 2-2 result leaves both teams with UEFA match page one point each in the league phase table. Haaland’s brace kept his scoring streak alive, while Monaco’s resilience with ten men after a late substitution reshuffle earned them a valuable point.

The pattern suggests City’s defence needs tightening.

Will Pogba play against City?

Paul Pogba, who rejoined Monaco on a short-term contract in September 2025, was not in the matchday squad for the City encounter. Reports from ESPN (Monaco return report) indicate he is nearing full fitness after a thigh injury.

Pogba’s injury history

• Thigh strain sustained in training mid-September (ESPN article)
• Missed three Monaco matches prior to City fixture

Potential return date

Monaco’s medical staff have not set a firm return date, but Pogba is expected to be available for the next Champions League matchday or the following domestic league game. The ESPN article notes that City’s lineup – with Rodri and Bernardo Silva controlling midfield – offered a glimpse of what Pogba could bring to Monaco’s engine room.

Impact on Monaco lineup

Without Pogba, Monaco relied on the midfield trio of Akliouche, Camara and Teze. The addition of a physical, ball‑playing central midfielder would give coach Adi Hütter more tactical flexibility against top opponents.

Who is 11 for Man City?

Jeremy Doku wore the number 11 shirt for Manchester City in the 2025/26 season and started on the left wing against Monaco. UEFA line-ups page confirms Doku in the starting XI.

Doku’s role in the lineup

• Left winger in a fluid attacking trio with Foden and Haaland
• Completed 3 dribbles and created one chance before being substituted (ESPN match report)

Performance in the match

Doku’s direct running troubled Monaco right-back Vanderson, but his final ball lacked precision on several occasions. He was replaced by Savinho in the 70th minute.

Who is the 16 year old in Manchester City?

Manchester City have been linked with a move for 16‑year‑old Hertha Berlin midfielder Noah Eichhorn, according to multiple reports. The teenager, who has impressed in Hertha’s youth setup, is not currently part of City’s first‑team squad.

Transfer interest in Eichhorn

• City scouts have tracked Eichhorn for over a year (GiveMeSport report)
• No formal bid confirmed as of matchday

Current young players in City’s squad

City already boast several academy graduates like Nico O’Reilly (who started against Monaco) and Phil Foden, and a future signing like Eichhorn would continue that pipeline.

How much did Man City buy Haaland for?

Erling Haaland joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in July 2022 for a reported €60 million release clause, as detailed by UEFA documentation. In January 2025, the club announced a new nine‑year contract extension, keeping him at the Etihad until 2034.

Haaland’s release clause

• €60 million release clause activated in 2022 (UEFA match page)
• No release clause in the new contract – a sign of City’s long‑term commitment

Value for money

With over 100 goals in all competitions since joining, Haaland has repaid the fee many times over. His brace against Monaco took his Champions League tally for City to 28.

The investment in Haaland reflects City’s strategy of securing top talent long-term.

Timeline of Monaco vs Manchester City in the Champions League

• 21 February 2017: Monaco 3-1 Manchester City – UCL Round of 16 first leg (UEFA archive)
• 15 March 2017: Manchester City 5-3 Monaco – second leg (aggregate 6-6, Monaco advance on away goals) (UEFA archive)
• 1 October 2025: Monaco 2-2 Manchester City – UCL League Phase (UEFA match page)

Confirmed Facts and Unclear Questions

Confirmed facts

• Confirmed lineups from UEFA line-ups page
• Final score 2-2 (ESPN)
• Haaland scored twice (ESPN)
• Teze scored for Monaco (ESPN)
• Dier penalty equaliser in 90th minute (ESPN)
• Match date 1 October 2025 (UEFA)

What’s unclear

• Whether Pogba will be fit for the next Champions League fixture
• Exact transfer fee for Haaland beyond the initial release clause
• Whether City will formalise an offer for 16‑year‑old Noah Eichhorn
• Whether both teams made five substitutions (not confirmed by official match reports)

Quotes and Expert Analysis

“Monaco 2-2 Man City: Erling Haaland and Eric Dier score”

BBC Sport (official match report)

“As Pogba nears return, City offer glimpse of what might’ve been”

ESPN (Pogba return analysis)

The 2-2 draw leaves both teams with work to do in the group phase. For Manchester City, failing to hold a lead against a mid-tier European side raises questions about defensive solidity. For Monaco, the point proves they can compete with elite opposition – especially if Pogba returns to add midfield authority. The Sky Sports match summary noted that City’s failure to see out the game could have repercussions in a tight group.

For the Premier League champions, the choice is clear: shore up late‑game concentration, or risk dropping more points against teams less forgiving than Monaco.

For an alternative take on the starting XIs, readers can refer to the Swedish lineup article.

Frequently asked questions

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