Monaco begin Europa Conference League campaign with win

Monaco begin Europa Conference League campaign with win AS Monaco began their UEFA Europa Conference League campaign with a win away to CSKA Sofia (1-2). It is a win that also extends Filipe Luís’ unbeaten start since being appointed at the Principality club over the summer. Monaco are considered as one of the favourites to win the Europa Conference League, a tag that Luís nonetheless shirked pre-match. However, it was a lightning-quick start from his side. Paris Brunner, suspended at the weekend, returned to the line-up and scored with a close-range effort into the roof of the net. The German then turned the provider at the end of the first half. He found Ansu Fati, making his first start of the season following his return from injury. The Spaniard calmly slotted past the CSKA Sofia goalkeeper from the edge of the box. Just as they were against Toulouse FC over the weekend, Monaco headed back to the dressing room two goals up and in control. Le TéFéCé would lodge a second-half comeback and secure a draw at the Stade Louis II on Saturday. Les Monégasques would have another scare here. A Joel Zwarts header from a corner with 20 minutes remaining set up a nervy finish, but Monaco would hold on. Next up for Les Monégasques in the UECL is Freiburg. GFFN | Luke Entwistle