Monaco will take on Gornik Zabrze at 23:45 on August 27 in the second leg of their playoff for the 2026/27 Conference League qualification. Following a narrow 3-2 victory in Poland, Monaco is looking to convert their advantage into a ticket to the next round.

Under the management of Filipe Luis, Monaco has made a strong start to the season, winning both of their official matches so far. Their recent performance includes a 1-0 win against Le Havre in Ligue 1, showcasing their ability to adapt to Luis's new strategies. The team's strengths lie in their quick transitions, exploiting width, and having multiple attacking options. Players like Mika Biereth, Lamine Camara, and Paris Brunner have already made significant contributions by scoring in the first leg.

However, Monaco's defense remains a concern, having allowed Gornik Zabrze to score twice in the previous match, indicating vulnerabilities that could be exploited. Filipe Luis acknowledged the difficulties in maintaining defensive solidity, especially on the flanks.

On the other hand, Gornik Zabrze demonstrated resilience by scoring two goals after trailing 0-2 and 1-3 in the first leg, keeping their hopes alive until the final moments. Despite this, the gap in quality between the teams is evident, and they will face the challenge of overcoming a deficit in the away match.

Historically, Monaco has a strong record against Polish teams, with six wins and three draws in nine encounters in European competitions. Gornik Zabrze has never advanced in a two-legged tie in European cups after losing the first leg since the 21st century, making their task even more daunting.

In terms of team news, Monaco may be without Ansu Fati due to a muscle injury, while Matthis Abline is also facing fitness issues. Gornik Zabrze will miss defensive midfielder Jaroslaw Kubicki, who is recovering from a wrist injury.

Predicted Line-ups

Monaco (4-4-2): Hradecky; Vanderson, Sane, Dier, Mawissa; Zakaria, Camara, Detourbet, Golovin; Biereth, Brunner.

Gornik Zabrze (4-3-3): Schulze; Sacek, Janicki, Josema, Janza; Urbanski, Dietz, Bernardo; Durdov, Prekop, Khlan.

Match Prediction

Given their current form and home advantage, Monaco is likely to secure another close victory against Gornik Zabrze, potentially finishing the tie with a score of 2-1.