Monaco manager Adi Hütter has shared his thoughts on his team’s upcoming Champions League encounter with Barcelona, set to take place in France this week. As the prestigious European tournament kicks off with a refreshed format, the clash between Monaco and Barcelona is one of the most anticipated fixtures. The two sides are meeting again just weeks after their face-off in the Joan Gamper Trophy, a match in which Monaco emerged victorious with a commanding 3-0 win over Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
Despite the recent triumph in Barcelona, Hütter emphasized that this upcoming Champions League game will be a different challenge altogether. Reflecting on the Gamper Trophy win, Hütter suggested that the defeat may have actually spurred Barcelona to find better form in the early stages of their domestic season in La Liga. Barcelona has since embarked on an impressive run, scoring in five consecutive games and conceding just four goals in total.
“I’m not going to reveal any specifics about our tactics,” Hütter said in an interview with Spanish news agency Efe, underscoring the importance of keeping his game plan under
wraps ahead of the crucial match. “What I can say is that it won’t be the same kind of game as the Gamper Trophy.” Hütter hinted that the dynamics of a pre-season friendly like the Gamper Trophy are very different from a high-stakes Champions League match, where both teams will be fully focused and in competitive form.
Hütter went on to acknowledge that while Monaco's 3-0 victory at the Gamper Trophy was a confidence boost, it might have served as a wake-up call for Barcelona. He noted how the defeat seems to have catalyzed an improvement in Barcelona’s performances in La Liga, where they have been scoring freely and maintaining a solid defense.
“In a way, it was good for Barcelona to lose that game,” Hütter explained. “Since then, they have scored in five consecutive games and have only conceded four goals. That shows they’ve become more solid defensively while still being dangerous going forward.”
Monaco's own form has been impressive as well. They have started the Ligue 1 season strongly, with three wins and a draw from their first four matches, demonstrating their intent to compete on multiple fronts this season. The team is currently performing well in both attack and defense, and Hütter is keen to carry that momentum into Europe.
Hütter was full of praise for Barcelona’s squad, highlighting their blend of experience and youth. In particular, he singled out Robert Lewandowski, a striker he knows well from his time managing in the Bundesliga, and young prodigy Lamine Yamal, who has been a breakout star for Barcelona this season.
“Everyone knows Barcelona,” Hütter said. “They are one of the biggest clubs in the world. Up front, they have Robert Lewandowski, who I played with during my time in the Bundesliga. He’s one of the best strikers in the world, a true goal machine. Then, they have Lamine Yamal, a young player who is making a big impact with his incredible left foot. He’s already a top player despite his age and scored two goals just last Sunday.”
Hütter also mentioned Dani Olmo, another player with Bundesliga ties, whom he regards as one of the top midfielders in Europe. “Dani Olmo is a fantastic player. I know him well from the Bundesliga, and he’s one of the best in Europe right now. And there’s also Raphinha, who brings a lot of quality to their attack.”
Despite the obvious threats posed by Barcelona’s star-studded squad, Hütter was adamant that Monaco would not rely on man-marking any individual players, including Yamal, who has been in excellent form. Instead, he stressed the importance of a collective defensive approach to neutralize Barcelona’s attacking threats.
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