Denis Zakaria and Folarin Balogun were absent from AS Monaco’s training session, while the club extended its partnership with UFL, the online football game, until 2026. The deal will see Monaco’s presence in the game, boosting the club’s visibility in the growing eSports market. This move comes as Monaco looks to strengthen its digital image and further engage with online gaming platforms.
Zakaria And Balogun Absent From AS Monaco Training
Denis Zakaria, Folarin Balogun, and Mohamed Salisu missed AS Monaco’s training session in La Turbie on Wednesday.
The trio were absent in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to OGC Nice in the Derby de la Côte d’Azur. Zakaria was initially named in the starting lineup but was replaced by Soungoutou Magassa just before kick-off. After the match, Adi Hütter appeared unconcerned about the Swiss international.
“He was really unlucky in the warm-up. He took a shot and was then injured in the adductor. It was a high risk to let him play. He complained a lot, so we had to reduce the risk. I wouldn’t let him play, and it was the right decision,” said the Monaco manager.
Coulibaly Is Close to Returning to Monaco
Balogun has been sidelined since suffering a dislocated shoulder earlier this month. Initially, it was believed the former Arsenal forward would be out for about two months, but his return to first-team training has raised hopes for a faster recovery. “It appears he (Balogun) could return sooner than anticipated,” said Hütter.
The Austrian also gave an update on Salisu last week, stating that the former Southampton defender is expected to be sidelined until after the international break due to a hamstring injury sustained while with the Ghana national team. He was also absent.
There was some positive news for Les Monégasques, as academy graduate Mamadou Coulibaly has rejoined the squad. Following a severe knee injury in the final match of last season and undergoing surgery, he has now returned to the first team and is close to making his comeback for Monaco.
Monaco Extends UFL Video Game Partnership Until 2026
AS Monaco has renewed its partnership with Strikerz Inc., the developer of the online football game UFL, extending it until 2026 as the club aims to strengthen its presence in the eSports market.
As part of the partnership, the UFL developer will include AS Monaco in its free-to-play online football game, scheduled for release on December 5, with early access beginning in late November.
In exchange, UFL will gain exposure through AS Monaco’s social media platforms and frequent broadcasts on the club’s Twitch channel, featuring online matches against players from the Esports division – a rapidly expanding market in football that the club seems eager to explore.
When the two organizations first teamed up in 2021, Oleg Petrov, vice-president and CEO of AS Monaco, stated: “We are delighted to partner with Strikerz Inc. and to be present on UFL, an innovative video game that will allow us to increase our visibility on online platforms. AS Monaco is pleased to support UFL in this new adventure, which confirms the Club’s desire to develop its digital image, in line with its Esports activities.”
Since then, the club has made its return to the UEFA Champions League and experienced positive growth both on and off the field.
UFL is the latest in a series of football simulation games challenging EA Sports’ FC25 dominance. However, none have made a significant impact on the established franchise’s hold on the market, even after its separation from FIFA’s licensing rights in 2023.
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