Monaco-Lens preview: Folarin Balogun set for ASM debut? | OneFootball

Monaco are currently the top scorers in Ligue 1 UberEats with 10 goals and have just added Folarin Balogun to their attacking arsenal, whilst Lens could start Elye Wahi for the first time in a game that promises goals.

Kick-off: Saturday, 21:00

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“I want a team that is fun with the ball,” said AS Monaco manager Adi Hütter during the pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s Ligue 1 UberEats fixture against RC Lens. Les Monégasques have certainly been that in the opening three matchdays of the season. The league’s top scorers have already registered 10 goals this season, and the addition of Folarin Balogun further adds to what is already an impressive attacking arsenal.

It is unclear whether Balogun, who arrived from Arsenal on a permanent transfer earlier this week, will feature at the Stade Louis II. “I feel good and ready to go. For this week, let's see what the manager decides, but I’m feeling good,” said the USMNT striker. Whilst Hütter alluded to Balogun being included in the matchday squad, the suggestion was that he would not be used from the start.

The same cannot necessarily be said for his opposite number, Elye Wahi. The former Montpellier forward came off the bench to make his Lens debut against Paris Saint-Germain last week, however, with a full week of training with his new teammates under his belt, he could now be in line for his first start. His goals will be a welcome addition to this Lens side, who have struggled so far this season. Having finished just one point behind PSG last season, they have just one point so far this season.

Last season, Balogun scored 21 Ligue 1 goals for Stade de Reims, narrowly bettering Wahi’s 19-goal tally - both will be hoping to get their first goals for their new clubs on Saturday.

“Our biggest opponent of the season.”

The attacking options at the disposal of both managers should make for an entertaining game. Whilst the sides come into the tie in contrasting form, it is Lens who have had the better of this fixture in recent times. A 96th-minute equaliser by Ignatius Ganago in May 2022 denied Monaco second place in the final game of the season, and Le Sang et Or then went on to do the double over the Principality club last season, winning both matches by a comfortable three-goal margin.

Hütter is therefore under no illusions as to the difficulty ahead. “It is our biggest opponent so far this season. Last year, Lens did a really good job. They’re struggling a bit at the start of the season, but they have had two hard opponents at the start of the season in Rennes and PSG,” said the Austrian coach.

However, Franck Haise is also wary of his opponent, and with good reason. “We will have to be at our best level, but I trust in the quality of my team. We have only conceded once during our last three matches against them, and we will have to lean on that, be solid defensively and keep our principles of play,” said the Lens manager.

Possible teams

Monaco: Köhn; Magassa, Maripán, Singo; Henrique, Zakaria, Fofana, Vanderson; Golovin, Ben Yedder, Minamino

Lens: Samba; Medina, Danso, Gradit; Machado, Da Costa, Abdul Samed, Le Cardinal; Fulgini, Thomasson, Wahi

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