AS Monaco defender Mohammed Salisu has asked his teammates to give everything on Thursday when they welcome Barcelona for their Champions League league phase matchday one fixture.
The two sides met just a month ago in the Gamper trophy in a game that saw the Ligue 1 side dominate winning 3-0. However, a lot has changed since then with Hansi Flick settling well as Barcelona currently top La Liga with a 100% record.
In an interview with Flashscore, the 25-year-old acknowledged the attacking prowess of Barcelona stating the Gamper Trophy triumph is in the past.
“Yeah it wasn’t an easy game but we won and you know how they play and you know how they have good players up front, dangerous so we just need to go with everything we have like we played last time,” he said.
The defender has had the privilege of facing Barcelona multiple times, especially during his time with La Liga side Real Valladolid. Despite knowing his opponent very well Salisu understands that the Champions League presents a different level of competition.
“I think this will be my debut in the Champions League and it’s an important game for the team and me, so we need to focus on the game.”
Monaco’s strong start to the Ligue 1 season, remaining unbeaten after four matches, adds to the significance of this Champions League fixture. Salisu’s recent performance in Monaco’s 3-0 victory over Auxerre demonstrates his readiness for the challenge ahead.
As Salisu prepares to face Barcelona’s elite attackers, his cautious respect for the opposition is balanced by confidence in his abilities and his team’s potential. This match represents not just a personal milestone for Salisu, but a crucial test for Monaco on the European stage.
