Balogun first time in Monaco squad vs Lens, not Biereth

Folarin Balogun is included for the first time this season in the Monaco squad for the game against Lens, as reported by L'Équipe. The picture is notable because the same report highlights the opposite: while Balogun makes the cut, Mika Biereth is absent from the attacking options.

Balogun returns to the group

L'Équipe says Balogun has been on track to finally start his season this Friday night at home against Lens, in Matchday 5 of Ligue 1. The American didn’t receive a call-up for the upcoming international break, and the squad was revealed in the morning.

Biereth omitted despite training normally

The chances of Balogun starting are described as limited. The coach Filipe Luis has several choices in the forward line, and L'Équipe points out that the attacking duo Paris Brunner–Matthis Abline enters the match with a slight advantage. Another surprise is Mika Biereth: the Danish striker trained normally throughout the week, is not injured, and yet has been left out—suggesting a clear tactical decision.

Beyond that, L'Équipe notes a total 21-player squad, with the young midfielder Edan Diop (22) appearing as one of the notable inclusions. Monaco’s coach is said to favor stability from match to match, so the structure is expected to hold: L'Équipe points to continuity at the back with Sadibou Sané (called up for Senegal) and Eric Dier, plus the double pivot Lamine Camara–Denis Zakaria.

Monaco host Lens this Friday at 20:45.