Besiktas JK vs AS Monaco - Monaco without Falcao for their trip to Besiktas

Posted Wednesday, November 01, 2017 by PA

Monaco remain without injured top scorer Radamel Falcao as they head to Besiktas on a tough revenge mission looking to get their Champions League campaign back on track but full of belief they can turn things around.

Falcao missed Saturday's 2-0 Ligue 1 victory at Bordeaux with a thigh problem and is absent for a second match as the French champions look to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat at home to the Turkish giants a fortnight ago with history stacked against them after losing their last two clashes in Istanbul.

The Colombia striker is currently "following a specific training regime as he returns from injury" while strike partner Stevan Jovetic, who returned to the bench as an unused substitute at the weekend after injury, has been named in Leonardo Jardim's 20-man squad for the trip.

Striker Keita Balde is confident they can still qualify despite having to endure some difficult conditions at Vodafone Park, as Monaco tweeted him saying: "The important thing is to believe again in the qualifying. We have the means and ambition.

"I was told that it was hot, but I like to play in these atmospheres. It's extra motivation. We expect a stage with a lot of pressure - we must be focused 100 per cent and give it all we've got."

Jardim was boosted by the return of forward duo Guido Carrillo and Rachid Ghezzal to full training and he also included the pair in his squad for the midweek trip east, but Djibril Sidibe (pelvis), Terence Kongolo (knee) and Soualiho Meite (hamstring) are ruled out of this Group G clash.

The visitors are yet to win in Europe this season and sit bottom of the table midway through the group ties, while Besiktas hold a five-point lead at the top and can progress to the knockout stage with a win or a draw on Wednesday night if second-placed Leipzig beat third-placed Porto.

The Black Eagles have taken maximum points from their opening three encounters and take on Monaco on the back of Saturday's 2-1 Super Lig victory at Alanyaspor.

Striker Alvaro Negredo, who spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, issued a warning to the visiting defence after scoring a late winner in his side's latest victory after team-mate Cenk Tosun had opened the scoring early on.

The Spain international told the club's official website: "My scoring drought is over.

"Since my scoring drought is over, I can now help my team more. Late winners always make you feel great. I've been on this road before, so I don't see any problem. Now, it is time to let the goalkeepers worry a little."

Senol Gunes' hosts go into the tie with a strong squad with no injuries or suspensions to worry about.