LYON, France – AS Monaco manager Sébastien Pocognoli has named a 22-man squad for Sunday’s Ligue 1 match against Olympique Lyonnais, with Eric Dier and Krépin Diatta both included after recovering from recent injuries. The match, scheduled for a 15:00 CET kickoff at the Groupama Stadium, sees Monaco aiming to maintain their momentum in the league.
Dier has been sidelined since January 24th with a calf issue, while Diatta last featured on February 21st, battling a thigh problem. Their return provides a significant boost to Pocognoli’s options, particularly as the season enters a crucial phase. The expanded squad size – typically 21 players are selected – suggests some uncertainty remains regarding final fitness levels, with Pocognoli indicating that two players will be watching from the stands: one goalkeeper and one outfield player.
Speaking on Friday, Pocognoli confirmed Diatta was in good form and Dier had enjoyed a strong week of training. He also noted that Pape Cabral had resumed partial training, though it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to feature. “There is one more session on Saturday and, if all went well, some players could be cleared to return,” Pocognoli stated, leaving the door open for late additions to the starting lineup.
The inclusion of Dier and Diatta is particularly welcome given their importance to Monaco’s squad. Dier, an experienced international defender, brings a calming presence to the backline, while Diatta’s pace and creativity offer a dynamic threat in attack. Their availability allows Pocognoli greater tactical flexibility as he prepares to face a Lyon side looking to climb the Ligue 1 table.
Monaco will be hoping to build on recent positive results, and the return of key players will undoubtedly aid their efforts. The team is currently focused on securing a European qualification spot, and a win against Lyon would be a significant step towards achieving that goal. For fans following the action from outside Europe, the 15:00 CET kickoff translates to 9:00 AM Eastern Time in the United States and Canada.
Full Squad List: DIER Eric, DIATTA Krepin, HRADECKY Lukas, KÖHN Philipp, LIENARD Yann, FAES Wout, KEHRER Thilo, MAWISSA Christian, NIBOMBE Samuel, OUATTARA Kassoum, TEZE Jordan, AKLIOUCHE Maghnes, BAMBA Aladji, CAMARA Lamine, COULIBALY Mamadou, GOLOVIN Aleksandr, IDUMBO Stanis, ZAKARIA Denis, ADINGRA Simon, BALOGUN Folarin, BIERETH Mika, FATI Ansu.
The match against Lyon represents a challenging test for Monaco, but with key players returning to fitness, Pocognoli will be confident his team can deliver a positive performance. The expanded squad provides options, and the final selection will likely depend on the players’ condition following Saturday’s training session.
Looking ahead, Monaco’s schedule remains demanding, with several important fixtures on the horizon. The team will need to maintain a high level of performance and manage player fitness effectively if they are to achieve their objectives this season. The next confirmed checkpoint for AS Monaco is their home match against [next opponent to be confirmed], scheduled for [date to be confirmed].
Archysport will provide live updates and comprehensive coverage of the match between Monaco and Lyon on Sunday.
