New format, calendar… Everything you need to know about the PLIC contested by the Elite Group | OneFootball

Already among the participants in the competition during the last two editions, the AS Monaco reserves are preparing to compete in the 2024-2025 edition of this competition, bringing together U-21 teams from the Premier League and the best European clubs.

They will once again face the best in Europe in their age category! Following on from these last two years, the young talents of the Elite Group will again be involved in the PLIC, the competition bringing together the best reserves of clubs from the Premier League and Europe. So before the kick-off of the competition, whose format is evolving, here is what you need to know. Here’s all you need to know 🏆

New format, more clubs 📈

Previously contested among 24 teams, this tournament now brings together 32 participants for the 2024-2025 edition. In detail, 16 teams will come from Premier League 2, the league of club reserves playing in the English top flight, and 16 others from the biggest European nations. Divided into four groups of eight teams, these 32 teams will face four opponents: “foreign” teams for the PL2 residents and vice versa.

High-flying competitors 🤝

Apart from the Premier League heavyweights, including Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea, and the defending champion, Crystal Palace, who were faced by the Monegasques last year, the best academies in Europe are indeed present.

In addition to AS Monaco representing France, Olympique Lyonnais will also be there this season. As will Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, PSV Eindhoven (winners in 2023), Anderlecht, Benfica, Leipzig and Ajax Amsterdam. And this is without forgetting Nordsjaelland, coach Djimi Traoré’s previous club.

A Round of 16 to be fixed 📋

The group stage of this competition, whose matches are played exclusively across the Channel, will then lead to the quarterfinals, since the two highest-ranked teams in each group are automatically qualified. From this stage, we then move on to a direct elimination match, with extra time and penalty shootouts, in the event of a tie at the end of regulation time.

Some interesting fixtures ⚔️

To hope to reach the final phase of the PLIC, our Rouge et Blanc will therefore have four battles to fight in a balanced Group A. They will in fact challenge successively the U21 teams of Wolverhampton (September 26), Reading (October 28), Tottenham (December 6) and Nottingham Forest (December 20). Note that each team is authorized to register five outfield players over 21 years old for the duration of the competition, as well as a goalkeeper.

A launching pad for our youngsters 💎

It’s a prestigious competition which has allowed several young English or foreign talents to reveal themselves, among them João Félix, James Maddison, or even more recently the Mancunian Kobbie Mainoo. AS Monaco winger Mamadou Coulibaly scored in his participation two years ago, being decisive in the prestigious win at Old Trafford (0-2). Similarly,Eliesse Ben Seghir, Saïmon Bouabré and Lucas Michal, who scored in the win in Liverpool (1-2) and against Rangers at the end of 2023 (1-3).

It’s thus a beautiful showcase for our Rouge et Blanc in the Elite Group, in the same way that the Youth League, which will begin in the meantime on Thursday, September 19 against the FC Barcelona reserves at the Performance Center.

📅 The PLIC calendar for AS Monaco

Matchday 1: Wolverhampton U21 – AS Monaco Elite Group (Thursday 26 September, 8pm) Matchday 2: Reading FC U21 – AS Monaco Elite Group (Monday 28 October, 8pm) Matchday 3: Tottenham U21 – AS Monaco Elite Group (Friday 6 December, 8pm) Matchday 4: Nottingham Forest U21 – AS Monaco Elite Group (Friday 20 December, 8pm)