Enzo Koffi ↑40′ · Josh Maja ↑70′ · Elias Jelert ↑70′ · Sota Nakamura ↑70′ · Kaito Mizuta ↑88′ · Ismail Bouneb · Daren Mosengo · Mory Diaw · Yanis Zouaoui · Felix Mambimbi · Stephan Zagadou
Coach · Didier Digard
Match Preview
Le Havre vs Monaco Match Preview
AI-written editorial preview · updated 2026-08-21 15:17 UTC
Monaco travel to Stade Oceane for Ligue 1 opener
Sunday afternoon at Stade Oceane, Le Havre and Monaco kick off their new Ligue 1 campaigns with the opening match of the season. Both sides will be eager to establish early momentum as they look to navigate the challenges of a fresh domestic schedule.
Team news and expected lineups
As the sides prepare for the first whistle, the expected XI for Le Havre features Lionel Mpasi-Nzau in goal, protected by a defensive unit including Timothee Pembele and Vincent Sasso. The midfield is expected to be anchored by Amir Richardson, Junior Mwanga, and Rassoul Ndiaye, while Sota Nakamura and Mbwana Samatta lead the line.
For the visitors, Monaco are expected to deploy Lukas Hradecky in goal behind a back four of Vanderson, Thilo Kehrer, Eric Dier, and Flavio Nazinho. The midfield trio should consist of Denis Zakaria, Lamine Camara, and Aleksandr Golovin, with Paris Brunner, Mika Biereth, and Mathys Detourbet forming the attacking threat. Notably, Christian Mawissa is unavailable for the visitors due to suspension.
Le Havre's preparation for the new season
Le Havre enter this fixture following a varied pre-season schedule. Their most recent outing resulted in a 1-0 victory over Le Mans on 15 August, providing a positive note to conclude their preparations.
Looking back at their competitive form, the team finished their previous Ligue 1 campaign with a solid 2-0 win away to Lorient in May. They will be hoping to replicate that defensive discipline as they face a challenging start against a side with European commitments already underway.
Monaco's busy start to the campaign
Monaco arrive at Stade Oceane with match fitness already tested by their recent involvement in the Conference League qualification. They secured a 3-2 victory against Gornik Zabrze on 20 August, a result that should provide a confidence boost for the squad.
Despite a mixed run of results in their club friendlies, including a 3-2 win against Liverpool, the visitors have shown a capacity for high-scoring encounters. Managing the transition between European competition and the domestic league will be the primary challenge for the squad this weekend.
The head-to-head dynamic
Recent history between these two clubs suggests a competitive edge, though Monaco have historically enjoyed the upper hand in Ligue 1. Their most recent encounter on 24 January 2026 ended in a goalless draw, reflecting the tactical stalemate that can occur when these teams meet.
Looking further back, Monaco recorded a 3-1 victory over Le Havre in August 2025, demonstrating their ability to break down the opposition. With both teams looking to set the tone for the season, this opening match offers an opportunity to shift the recent balance.
Tactical considerations for the opening day
With both managers likely to experiment early on, the battle in the midfield will be critical. Monaco's reliance on the experience of Denis Zakaria and Aleksandr Golovin will be tested by the industrious Le Havre trio of Richardson, Mwanga, and Ndiaye.
Defensive stability will be the priority for both sides as they adjust to the intensity of the first matchday. With the suspension of Christian Mawissa forcing a change in the Monaco backline, Le Havre may look to exploit any potential gaps in the visitors' defensive structure during the early stages.
Monaco
4-2-3-1
● Confirmed
29
↓57′
Brunner
28
↓57′
Coulibaly
10
Golovin
17
↓81′
Idumbo
6
Zakaria
15
Camara
20
↓80′
Nazinho
3
⚽
Dier
72
Sane
2
↓89′
Vanderson
1
Hradecky
Bench (14)
Mika Biereth ↑57′ · Ilane Toure ↑80′ · Thilo Kehrer ↑89′ · Mathys Detourbet · Philipp Koehn · Pape Cabral · Christian Mawissa · Jordan Teze · Matthis Abline · Folarin Balogun · Edan Diop · Ansu Fati · Mohammed Salisu · Takumi Minamino
Coach · Filipe Luis
Confirmed by FIFA officials.
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