A bizarre Champions League trip

What was supposed to be a routine trip to Belgium turned into an episode that made headlines worldwide. The AS Monaco squad, scheduled to fly for their Champions League clash against Club Brugge, ran into an unexpected problem: the plane’s air conditioning system broke down. The malfunction created unbearable heat inside the cabin, and the players—including Ansu Fati—had no choice but to strip down to their underwear.

Images quickly spread across social media, showing players sweating, joking, and even stepping outside the aircraft to catch some fresh air. What looked like a simple delay turned into a viral story that will follow the Monegasque club throughout this Champions League campaign.

The club’s decision and Hütter’s improvisation

With passenger safety at risk, Monaco decided to postpone their flight until Thursday morning. Head coach Adi Hütter improvised his pre-match press conference at the club’s training ground on Wednesday night, where he explained the situation:
“Due to technical reasons, it was impossible to travel, as the safety of everyone could not be guaranteed. I’ve never experienced anything like this, but there are circumstances you simply cannot control,” he said.

Hütter also stressed that despite the discomfort, his squad’s focus remains intact ahead of the game against Brugge. “We are professionals and we prepare as normal for the match,” he added.

Social media buzz and Champions focus

The unusual incident quickly went viral. Memes, jokes, and witty comparisons flooded Twitter and Instagram, with Ansu Fati standing out as one of the most mentioned names given his star status in the team.

Beyond the awkwardness, Monaco must now turn their attention back to football. Brugge awaits in Belgium, and the Monegasques know there’s no room for distractions if they want to progress in Europe. Still, no matter the result, this trip will go down as one of the most bizarre stories in the recent history of the tournament.