Monaco are playing for their lives against Juventus in Matchday 8 of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. However, as Paul Pogba has been left out of the lineup, fans wonder why the French star is not participating in such a high-stakes showdown.
Injuries have been the name of the game for Pogba in the 2025-26 campaign. And that is no different as Monaco host Juventus in a potential elimination game for the club from the principality. Pogba is dealing with a calf injury, which has left him out of Monaco’s active squad once again.
Though injuries and absentees have been a recurring theme for Pogba, fans across the globe hope he could make an appearance when facing his former club, Juventus, in such an exciting showdown in the UEFA Champions League. However, the story won’t be able to come full circle when Monaco take on ‘La Vecchia Signora’.
Injury-riddled season for Pogba
As reported by The Touchline on X, Pogba has played just 30 minutes across three appearances in the 2025-26 campaign. For a signing that drew worldwide attention and raised high expectations among fans in Monaco, the move for Pogba has been disastrous so far.
Where do Juventus and Monaco stand?
Heading into Matchday 8, Monaco (9 points) and Juventus (12 points) enter the game at Stade Louis II with different realities. The Italian side has already secured survival. A win could put Juventus through to the top 8, but not even a loss can knock them out of the playoff round.
Meanwhile, Monaco doesn’t enjoy such perks. Instead, they must win to secure a spot in the playoff stage. The top 8 fell out of reach after a 6-1 defeat to Real Madrid on Matchday 7. Moreover, a loss doesn’t automatically eliminate them from the competition, but it could require a near miracle for them to hold on to a spot among the top 24. Eight clubs remain on the outside looking in, and a misstep from Monaco could open the door for one of them.