Zakaria out of Champions League game against Bologna

AS Monaco will still be without Denis Zakaria for the Champions League clash against Bologna.

The 27-year-old has become a mainstay at Monaco. The former Juventus midfielder, in his debut season, was given the armband over the summer due to his rate of hard work.

He has been injured since the warm-up against OGC Nice just over a week ago and was hauled out of the line-up just minutes before kick-off, replaced by Soungoutou Magassa.

Coincidentally, Monaco suffered their first defeat of the season in his absence. He also missed the weekend fixture against SCO Angers, to the same effect. 

Monaco had remained undefeated since the start of the season and for six months as the Swiss midfielder’s injury has coincided with back-to-back defeats. 

Monaco now hopes to bounce back against Bologna in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, but they will once again do so without Zakaria, who has been left out of the traveling group. 

He could return to action against RC Strasbourg Alsace. Monanco manager, Adi Hütter admitted the void in the team due to his absence, expecting him to be back for Strasbourg. 

“Without him, I’m convinced we can have a good game against a good team in Bologna. We will see how we can manage it without him on the pitch tomorrow,” he added. 

If they win against Bologna, Monaco will get to the 10-point mark in the Champions League, a figure thought to be sufficient to see qualification for the play-off phase of the competition. 

Hütter, in a pre-match press conference, affirmed that a huge goal for his side is leaving Bologna with points.

Wilfried Singo who was angered due to their drop in form said they had already motivated them to wake them up and secure at least a point at Bologna.