We're on our European travels once again in the UEFA Champions League as our campaign resumes with a trip to AS Monaco on Wednesday night (kick-off 8pm UK).
First facing Monaco competitively in the 2015/16 Europa League group stage with a 1-1 away draw and 4-1 win at White Hart Lane - Erik Lamela adding a home hat-trick to his away goal over the two games - we were drawn against them in this competition's group stage the following season with the Ligue 1 side beating us 2-1 in both fixtures.
With Les Monégasques holding the bragging rights from that last outing, we return to the Principality nine years later out for revenge in the French Riviera on Matchday Three.
Ahead of the contest, here's the lowdown on Monaco's past, present squad and how they're adjusting to life under a new Head Coach.
History
One of the oldest clubs in the French Football Federation, AS Monaco Football was first born on 1 August 1919 and registered with the FFF. Five years later, the creation of Association Sportive de Monaco came on 24 August 1924 which is celebrated as their founding day.
Although based in the Principality of Monaco, the club competes in the French league system and have won eight top-flight titles - most recently in 2016/17 - five French Cups and one French League Cup.
On the European stage, their best performance was reaching the 2003/04 Champions League final where they ended runners-up to Jose Mourinho's FC Porto.
Located in the Fontvieille district of Monaco, Stade Louis-II is camouflaged amongst the distinctive surroundings of the Principality and has been AS Monaco's home ground since 1985.
With an 18,523 capacity, the stadium offers a unique design characterised by the nine archways that sit behind the usual away end and an athletics track that surrounds the perimeters of the pitch.
Last season
After finishing runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 in 2023/24, Monaco returned to the Champions League proper for the first time since 2018/19 and finished 17th in the League Phase before being eliminated by Benfica in the knockout phase play-offs last term.
Domestically, Les Rouge et Blanc (The Red and Whites) enjoyed another strong showing in the top flight to secure third in 2024/25 and a place in this European competition for the second consecutive season - their 11th appearance overall.
The new manager
After a below-par start to the current campaign under Austrian manager Adi Hutter, Monaco underwent a managerial change on 11 October and brought in Sebastien Pocognoli from Belgian Pro League side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
In his maiden campaign with RUSG in 2024/25, the 38-year-old guided them to the Belgian Super Cup and ended a 90-year wait for a Belgian league title.
The former West Bromwich Albion defender made over 360 professional appearances across the top divisions in Belgium, England, the Netherlands and Germany and began his coaching career after retiring in the summer of 2021.
The Belgian's first game in charge of his new club ended in a 1-1 draw at Angers in Ligue 1, employing his favoured back three system.
Current squad
At Pocognoli's disposal is a mix of promising young talent and some established names in the squad.
With plenty of familiar faces to English fans, amongst those is our former player Eric Dier who arrived in the summer from FC Bayern and, after equalising from the penalty spot to rescue a 2-2 draw against Manchester City last time out in this competition, the 31-year-old unfortunately misses out through injury.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba returned to football when he signed for the Ligue 1 side this summer but the 32-year-old Frenchman and World Cup winner is yet to feature for his new club. Others who have played in England include: captain Thilo Kehrer, Mohammed Salisu, Denis Zakaria, Takumi Minamino, Folarin Balogun, Ansu Fati and Mika Biereth.
Ex-Fulham and Arsenal academy striker Biereth was their top goalscorer last season with 13 goals whilst 23-year-old Maghnes Akliouche topped assists with 10. Young Senegal international Lamine Camara is also one to watch in midfield.
Form
In what has been a mixed start on the results front, Monaco remain unbeaten at Stade Louis-II so far this season with three wins and one draw in Ligue 1 alongside the 2-2 draw with Manchester City in the Champions League.
Four wins in their first five league fixtures (L1) had them as early league leaders but they head into this contest winless in their last three domestically (L1, D2) and are yet to win in Europe following an opening day 4-1 defeat at Club Brugge on Matchday One.
As mentioned previously, Pocognoli was denied a winning start as Monaco boss after Balogun's 72nd-minute opener was cancelled out by Angers' Sidiki Cherif five minutes from time on 18 October.