Monaco Face Selection Turmoil Ahead of Pafos Clash
So, the story around Monaco’s Champions League trip to Cyprus to face Pafos has taken an unexpected twist, and it’s centered on one player who’s been in strong form lately: Krépin Diatta. As the latest squad list rolled out, it was immediately noticed that Diatta had once again been left out — and that threw a bit of confusion into the mix, especially considering how important he’s been to Monaco’s recent structure.
To understand how we got here, you have to look back a couple of months. Earlier in the season, Monaco used a UEFA rule that allows clubs to temporarily replace a player who’s going to be sidelined with a long-term injury — at least 60 days — with another teammate. At that time, Denis Zakaria was out, and Diatta was brought in to fill that Champions League slot. It worked out well for Monaco, because Diatta has been performing at an extremely high level, even earning MVP of the Month honors from the club. His presence became a key part of the system newly implemented after a coaching change.
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But with Zakaria now returning to full fitness after two months away, UEFA rules require that he gets reinstated onto the eligible list — and that means the temporary replacement is removed. Unfortunately for Diatta, that leaves him out once again. And this situation arrives at a tricky moment, just as Monaco were gearing up for this important away match in Cyprus.
What makes the decision even more challenging is that new manager Sébastien Pocognoli didn’t have a say in how the squad list was initially finalized. He admitted openly that Diatta is a player he values highly, someone he considers essential for the way he wants Monaco to play. But because the paperwork and planning were handled before his arrival, he’s left in a position where he has to adapt rather than adjust.
Meanwhile, the team arrives in Cyprus knowing that Pafos — champions of Cyprus — won’t be easy opponents. The atmosphere, the setting, and the stakes all make this a high-pressure moment, especially coming at a time when Monaco still has points to secure before the knockout phase. Paul Pogba starting from the bench again adds another small layer of intrigue, since supporters are eager to see him return to his best form.
The good news for Monaco is that UEFA allows one more chance to revise the squad in January, just before the knockout rounds. So Diatta’s absence isn’t permanent — but it’s definitely inconvenient for a team trying to build rhythm and consistency right now.
As Monaco step onto the pitch in Pafos, they’ll be fully aware of the challenges ahead, and they’ll also be hoping this selection dilemma doesn’t end up holding them back at a crucial point in the campaign.
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