AS Monaco vs Nantes

The Riviera sun sets on a critical Ligue 1 Matchday 22 encounter this Friday, February 13, 2026, as Sébastien Pocognoli’s AS Monaco hosts Ahmed Kantari’s Nantes. Kick-off at the Stade Louis-II is scheduled for 20:05 UTC.

The narrative for both clubs has shifted since the winter break. Monaco (10th, 28 points) is desperate to snap a period of inconsistency and climb back toward the European places. For Nantes (17th, 14 points), the mission is simpler but far more urgent: survival. Stuck in the automatic relegation zone, Les Canaris need a result to avoid losing touch with safety.

Match Information

AS Monaco: The Pocognoli Era Seeks Stability

Since taking over from Adi Hütter in October 2025, Belgian coach Sébastien Pocognoli has attempted to instill a more "ambitious and attractive" style. While they recently thrashed Rennes 4–0, a heavy 6–1 loss to Real Madrid in Europe and a 1–3 home defeat to Lorient have left the Principality side searching for a cohesive identity.

Team News and Selection:

• Injury Crisis: The Monaco medical room is crowded. Takumi Minamino (torn knee ligaments), Mohammed Salisu (cruciate ligament), and Ansu Fati (hamstring) are all long-term absentees. Lukas Hradecky and Eric Dier are also ruled out.

• Suspension: Thilo Kehrer is unavailable due to a disciplinary suspension

• The Creative Spark: Maghnes Akliouche remains the primary threat, having created the most "big chances" (7) for the team this season. Folarin Balogun is expected to lead the line

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Köhn; Teze, Singo, Magassa, Caio Henrique; Zakaria, Camara; Akliouche, Golovin, Ben Seghir; Balogun.

Nantes: Fighting for the Flight

Ahmed Kantari, appointed in December to replace Luís Castro, faces an uphill battle. Nantes is currently tied for points with Auxerre in the relegation zone. While they managed a 2–0 win over Marseille recently, back-to-back losses to Nice and Lorient have dampened spirits

Team News and Selection:

• Injury Updates: Amady Camara and Deiver Machado are unavailable. However, the squad is relatively healthy compared to their opponents.

• Key Man: Matthis Abline is the focal point of the attack, leading the team in big chances created (6) and shots on target. Veteran Youssef El Arabi offers experience off the bench.

• Tactical Approach: Kantari has leaned into a 4-3-3 system designed to soak up pressure and strike through the pace of Abline and Moses Simon.

• Predicted XI (4-3-3): Lopes; Amian, Castelletto, Zézé, Cozza; Chirivella, Douglas Augusto, Lepenant; Mollet, Abline, Simon.

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• The Goal Fest: The reverse fixture in October 2025 was a thriller, with Monaco winning 5–3 at the Stade de la Beaujoire

• Historic Dominance: Monaco is unbeaten in their last 7 meetings with Nantes (4W, 3D). Nantes hasn't won this fixture since 2017.

• Form Guide: Monaco has 2 wins and 2 draws in their last 5 league games; Nantes has 4 losses in their last 5.

• Clean Sheet Struggle: Both teams have struggled defensively, with Monaco conceding 33 goals and Nantes 37 so far this season.

Tactical Preview and Prediction

Pocognoli will likely demand that Monaco "control the game in the opposition half," utilizing Golovin and Akliouche to unpick a Nantes defense that has looked fragile against fast breaks. Nantes will bank on Monaco’s defensive absences—specifically Kehrer and Salisu—to find joy on the counter-attack.

Despite Monaco’s injury woes, their superior depth and home advantage should be enough to overcome a Nantes side that is currently low on confidence.

Final Score Prediction: AS Monaco 2–1 Nantes