- Date: Saturday, 19 July 2025
- Venue: SMH Group Stadium, Chesterfield
- Fixture: Nottingham Forest vs AS Monaco – Pre-Season Friendly
The Preview
Excitement is in the air as Nottingham Forest welcome Ligue 1 giants AS Monaco for a pre-season clash guaranteed to intrigue fans of both sides. This match-up at Chesterfield’s SMH Group Stadium is more than just a friendly; it’s a showcase of future ambitions, with both clubs aiming to build the perfect runway for their upcoming campaigns. Forest, entering their European adventure for the first time in nearly three decades, are eager to test themselves against Monaco, fresh off a Champions League run and renowned for their attacking prowess.
Nottingham Forest’s recent history reveals a club on the up. Under Nuno Espirito Santo, the Reds finished an impressive seventh in the Premier League last season, earning a Europa League spot due to other clubs’ misfortune and their own FA Cup heroics. Their pre-season began with a cagey 0-0 draw against Chesterfield—showing defensive stability but lacking the attacking spark fans hoped for. Monaco, on the other hand, have enjoyed a perfect summer so far: they thrashed Coventry City 5-0 last time out, with rising star Maghnes Akliouche netting a brilliant second-half hat-trick. Their friendlies so far show the hunger to reclaim lost dominance on the European stage, especially after securing a Champions League slot with a third-place Ligue 1 finish and ultimately exiting at the hands of Benfica last season.
Team news tends to spice up even a summer fixture. Nottingham Forest are adapting to big changes. Anthony Elanga has left for Newcastle, while Tottenham remain determined to lure away creative dynamo Morgan Gibbs-White—though he’s back in training after his international duties. New signings Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha are easing in following packed schedules at the Club World Cup, with the squad’s balance being tested. Neco Williams (ankle) and Nicolas Dominguez (knee) are still sidelined, but mainstays like Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi (recovering from an abdominal injury) offer plenty of forward threat.
Monaco arrive with enormous firepower but a couple of notable absences of their own. Paul Pogba remains out as he regains full fitness after a lengthy layoff, and Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati did not feature against Coventry due to minor setbacks. However, Eric Dier recently returned to the fold and should see game time, while Akliouche, Minamino, and Zakaria anchor a midfield brimming with dynamism. These absences give Hütter the chance to experiment and offer youngsters some vital minutes on English soil.
This game promises intrigue beyond individual brilliance. Both managers will explore lineups, tactics, and rotations—pre-season friendlies are about sharpening tactics as much as winning. Monaco seem to have hit the ground running with strong goal-scoring outings, but Forest are tightening up defensively and may rely on structured transitions and the sparkle of Gibbs-White or Hudson-Odoi to prise open Monaco’s defence. Expect the English side to test their depth as they gear up for the rigours of European football, while Monaco look set to flex their attacking muscles as they build toward Ligue 1’s kickoff.
Key Players to Watch
- Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest): The creative heartbeat of Forest, pivotal if he features.
- Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest): Experienced striker and a threat from crosses and set-pieces.
- Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco): Flying high after his hat-trick against Coventry, watch for his bursts from midfield.
- Takumi Minamino (Monaco): Versatile attacker with an eye for goal and clever movement.
- Eric Dier (Monaco): The new defensive anchor, balancing the side as he builds sharpness.
Match Prediction
In classic pre-season style, expect entertainment and a few surprises—but Monaco’s impressive early form, coupled with Forest’s roster uncertainty, points to a narrow win for the French side. Monaco’s attacking flair may just edge the day in a closely-fought match.
Predicted Score: Nottingham Forest 1-2 AS Monaco
