Barcelona fell to a 2-1 defeat at Monaco on Thursday of their Champions League opener, hindered by an early pink card proven to Eric Garcia.
Hansi Flick’s aspect have began the season with an ideal file after 5 La Liga matches however struggled to seek out their greatest degree in opposition to the Ligue 1 aspect.
After Garcia was despatched off for flattening Takumi Minamino as he ran by means of, Maghnes Akliouche fired Monaco forward.
Starlet Lamine Yamal scored a tremendous equaliser for Barcelona however George Ilenikhena grabbed the winner for Monaco within the 71st minute.
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5-time winners Barcelona, final topped European champions in 2015, have struggled in Europe in latest seasons, significantly away from residence and had been introduced crashing all the way down to earth within the French Riviera.
Monaco thrashed Barcelona in a pre-season pleasant and had the Catalan giants’ quantity for a lot of the conflict on the Stade Louis II.
They had been considerably aided by Garcia’s dismissal after 11 minutes, for felling former Liverpool midfielder Minamino on the sting of the field.
A careless move from Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen put Garcia underneath fast strain and he tangled with the Japan worldwide as he tried to cease him operating in on objective.
“We didn’t perceive one another nicely in that scenario and I really feel unhealthy for Eric, as ultimately it hurts him and we needed to play practically 80 minutes with one much less participant,” Ter Stegen advised Movistar.
“One thing occurred that shouldn’t have, to anybody, to me or to him… this defeat hurts as a result of with 10 males we nonetheless confirmed up and tried to take at the least a degree.”
Monaco quickly took the lead after 17 minutes when Akliouche labored his approach into the field and completed nicely underneath little strain.
With Barcelona at a numerical drawback the hosts had been on high and Raphinha squandered the guests’ greatest openings regardless of his spectacular home type of late.
Impressed Yamal
Monaco had saved Spain’s Euro 2024 star Yamal quiet however he burst into life to degree earlier than the half-hour mark, chopping in from the suitable and drilling contained in the close to submit.
The teenage made it look simple to attain a objective out of nothing, turning into the second youngest scorer in Champions League historical past at 17 years and 68 days previous.
The record-holder watched on from Barcelona’s bench — Ansu Fati, who netted in 2019 in opposition to Inter Milan at 17 years 40 days of age.
Alejandro Balde bundled astray for Barcelona however Monaco got here nearer, with Breel Embolo firing at Ter Stegen and Wilfried Singo having a objective disallowed for offside.
Adi Hutter’s Monaco took the lead when the damaging Vanderson performed an extended ball excessive which substitute Ilenikhena ran on to, with Inigo Martinez in his rearview mirror.
The 18-year-old Nigerian ahead hit his shot onerous and low and it flew into the web by way of a hand from Ter Stegen, who may need saved it out.
The German stopper achieved some redemption when he produced an excellent save to maintain out Folarin Balogun’s ferocious effort.
Monaco had been awarded a penalty late on when Balogun tumbled to floor underneath strain from Martinez, however the referee modified his choice after a VAR assessment.
Flick threw on Fati for his first Barcelona look since August 2023 in quest of an equaliser nevertheless it was not forthcoming.
“The second objective didn’t have a lot of a build-up and it was hardly deserved in that second,” added Ter Stegen.
“Ultimately you find yourself feeling unhealthy about not having taken away any factors.”
AFP
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