Champions League: 5 top teams in danger of slipping down into the Europa League

#4 AS Monaco

Falcao has scored just once in the Champions League this season

While Group C was billed the Group of Death, Group G was billed the most open group in the Champions League - devoid of any true heavyweights but rich in quality second-tier sides.

AS Monaco exceeded all expectations when they reached the semi-finals of the 2016/17 Champions League with a relatively young squad with little experience of the big stage. They bowed out to Juventus but Leonardo Jardim had started a revolution in France as they toppled PSG in Ligue 1.

It's been just half-a-year and Monaco are back to square one - mainly thanks to the departures of all their star players from the last campaign - Kylian Mbappe, Tiemoue Bakayoko, and Bernardo Silva.

Jardim has tried to make do with what he has at his disposal and, sadly, what is working for him in Ligue 1 isn't working in Europe. He has tried two formations in the Champions League to varying degrees of success (or failure).

Champions League - Group G

The 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 with Youri Tielemans, Fabinho and Joao Moutinho in midfield was deployed when they played away and Monaco drew twice.

On the other hand, they played a 4-4-2 and a 4-5-1 at home with either Radamel Falcao alone up front or paired with Keita Balde and it saw them overrun at the Stade Louis II by both Porto and Besiktas.

1 - Monaco have only won one of their last six away games in the Champions League (D2 L3). Trap.

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 1, 2017

Falcao has been on fire in the league with 13 goals so far but he has managed to find the back of the net just once in Europe (in the 1-2 loss to Besiktas).

Mathematically, they still have a chance. But with games against RB Leipzig and Besiktas (who are almost assured of qualification) to come, the highest they could finish is third unless Porto mess up.