Our prediction for this Europa League match:
PSV and Monaco take on each other at Philips Stadion in a highly-anticipated Europa League game. PSV faced no difficulties in a 4-1 crushing of Sturm, and they head into the match following back-to-back wins over Sparta (2-1) and Zwolle (3-1) in the national championship. The Eredivisie outfit aim to give fans yet another reason for celebration, and the good news for the hosts is that pacey winger Madueke returned to the starting XI at the weekend.
Keep in mind, though, that midfielder Ibrahim Sangare is banned for the match. Les Rouges et Noirs, on the other hand, aim to retain their spot in top two. However, away win should not be considered as Monaco are not regarded as good travelers. Both Diop and Tchouameni are back from domestic bans, while Sidibe, Fabregas, Diatta, and Golovin should miss out with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Mario Gotze):
Mario Gotze is a German midfielder, who played for Ronsberg and Eintrach Hombruch during his youth career before joining Borussia Dortmund in 2001. He made a great progress during his spell at the Borussia Dortmund’s youth academy and on 21 November, 2009 he made his Bundesliga debut for the Millionaires.
Gotze scored 22 goals in 83 league appearances for the club between 2009 and 2013 and he joined Borussia Dortmund’s bitterest rivals Bayern Munich on April, 2013. The German midfielder, who is capable of playing as a striker as well, failed to impress in the 2015/2016 Bundesliga campaign, but it has to be noted that he was struggling with injury at the start of the season.
Gotze won three Bundesliga trophies with Bayern Munich, but at the end of the 2015/2016 season he returned to Borussia Dortmund. In 2014 he represented Germany at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and he scored the winner in the final against Argentina. Mario Gotze was born in Memmingen on 3 June, 1992.
Highlighted Team (Monaco):
Though based in Monaco, Les Rouges et Blances – as they are commonly referred to – play their games in the French football league system. Members of the top tier Ligue 1, Monaco play their home matches at the Stade Louis II in Fontvieille in front of 18,500 people. The Principality club boasts a turbulent history, which saw Monaco reach the highest heights of both domestic and international scene, but also get relegated to the amateur leagues at the very beginnings and to Ligue 2 in 2010-11 season.
The following year AS Monaco were acquired by the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, whose heavy investments turned the Principality club into one of the biggest spenders in Europe in 2013 and reestablishing its place among Europe’s top clubs.
AS Monaco have had notable European results in the modern football era having been runners-up in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1992 and the UEFA Champions League in 2004. One of the most successful clubs in France AS Monaco have so far won seven league titles and five Coupe de France trophies.