Monaco’s Mohammed Salisu Poised for Champions League Debut Against Barcelona

Mohammed Salisu is on the brink of a significant career milestone as he readies himself to make his much-anticipated Champions League debut with Monaco against Barcelona.

The Ghanaian defender is eager for the challenge, particularly after Monaco’s impressive unbeaten start to the Ligue 1 season.

In an exclusive interview with Flashscore, Salisu underscored the gravity of the upcoming match. “This will be my debut in the Champions League, and it’s a pivotal game for both the team and me. We need to stay focused,” Salisu said.

Salisu is no stranger to facing Barcelona. During his time with Real Valladolid, he crossed paths with the Catalan giants numerous times in La Liga, gaining invaluable experience. More recently, he was part of the Monaco squad that secured a surprising 3-0 victory over Barcelona in the pre-season Gamper Trophy.

However, the context has changed significantly since that pre-season encounter. Barcelona has since enjoyed a strong run of form, winning all their matches and leading La Liga.

This resurgence poses a substantial challenge for Salisu and his Monaco teammates.

Despite the formidable opponent, Salisu remains optimistic. “It wasn’t an easy game last time, but we won. We know how they play and the quality they have up front. We need to give everything, just like we did in the last game,” he noted.

Salisu’s cautious optimism reflects a balance between acknowledging Barcelona’s strengths and maintaining confidence in Monaco’s ability to compete at the highest level.

The two teams will meet on Thursday as the new Champions League format begins this week.