Toulouse Hosts Monaco in Crucial Ligue 1 Clash

TOULOUSE, France — AS Monaco will face Toulouse FC in a pivotal Ligue 1 match on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 7:45 p.m. local time, vying for critical points in their campaign. The Red and Whites, currently in fourth place, are coming off a 3-0 victory over Reims, while eighth-placed Toulouse aims to extend their winning streak after a 4-0 win against Angers last week.

Toulouse has had a rocky season, enduring a six-match winless streak from January to February, but they have rallied with back-to-back wins on the road. Coach Philippe Montanier’s squad has accumulated 33 points from 24 matches, just six points behind sixth-placed Lyon as they aim for European competition qualification.

“It’s important for us to maintain this momentum,” said Montanier. “Defeating teams like Monaco can set the tone for what’s to come.”

On their home turf, Toulouse has recorded four wins, three draws, and five losses, collecting 15 points from 12 matches. Their next challenge is to overcome Monaco, against whom they have had mixed results; Toulouse has won two of their last four league encounters with the visitors but lost 2-0 in the reverse fixture this season.

Meanwhile, Monaco’s impressive form has led them to 43 points from 24 games, as they trail Nice by just three points and sit 19 points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain. After exiting the Champions League playoff rounds, focusing solely on domestic matches, Monaco is determined to reclaim a runner-up finish.

“It’s crucial for us to keep winning and to show we can compete at the highest level,” said Monaco manager Philippe Clement. “Toulouse will be a tough opponent, but we’re ready.”

In terms of squad updates, Toulouse will miss key players such as Zakaria Aboukhlal and Guillaume Restes due to injuries. Top scorer Frank Magri, who has scored four goals in the current season, will be critical for Toulouse’s attack.

On the visiting side, Monaco’s Folarin Balogun is suspended, and several players, including Aleksandr Golovin, face fitness tests before the match. Mika Biereth, who scored a hat trick against Reims, is especially pivotal as he aims to boost his tally of 10 goals in his last 10 matches.

This matchup represents a significant opportunity for both teams, with Toulouse seeking to build on recent successes while Monaco fights to maintain their foothold in the championship race. Analysts predict a closely contested game, but with the quality Monaco possesses, they are favored to leave Stade de Toulouse with a vital three points.