AS Monaco's Denis Zakaria out of Bologna encounter but expected to make imminent return

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Denis Zakaria (27) has become an indispensable element at AS Monaco. Dominant in his debut season following his move from Juventus, he was given the armband over the summer. 

He was injured during the warm-up against OGC Nice just over a week ago and was hauled out of the line-up just minutes before kick-off, replaced by Soungoutou Magassa. That absence coincided with Monaco’s first defeat of the season. Zakaria also missed the weekend fixture against SCO Angers and to the same effect. Undefeated since the start of the season and in fact for six months, the Swiss midfielder’s injury has coincided with back-to-back defeats. 

Looking to bounce back, they face Bologna in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday but they will once again do so without Zakaria, who has been left out of the travelling group. A return, against RC Strasbourg Alsace, has been touted by Adi Hütter. “We miss Denis,” began the Monaco manager.

“For sure, I think he will be back for Strasbourg. Without him, I’m convinced we can have a good game against a good team in Bologna. We will see how we can manage it without him on the pitch tomorrow,” he added. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Bologna