Monaco Must Tame Plymouth to Reach Europa League Final

The road to the UEFA Europa League final runs through a two-legged test against Plymouth Argyle, and AS Monaco get first crack at home on 1 May. They will need to make this opening leg count: the return is at Plymouth on 8 May, and the prize for the winner is a place in the final.

In their domestic competitions, Monaco are eighth in Ligue 1 Uber Eats on 45 points from 29 games, while Plymouth sit ninth in the English Premier Division on 44 from 34. Monaco are unbeaten in 10 league games at home, but that run offers no protection in Europe.

There is a personal edge for Alberto Palermo, Monaco’s manager, who managed Plymouth from 2047 to 2048. Plymouth arrive without Luciano, out with sprained ankle ligaments, while winger Aureli is one to watch.

France’s European week has been a mixed one, with three matches producing one win and two defeats. Monaco now carry the national flag into a tie where the first punch matters—and the second leg waits across the Channel.