AS Monaco 2-1 Barcelona: Hansi Flick’s 100% Record Shatters In UEFA Champions League Opener

Securing comfortable wins in their first five games in La Liga, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona traveled to Monaco in high spirits for their UEFA Champions League opener on Thursday, September 19. The Ligue 1 outfit, however, refused to let them march on their merry way. They produced a remarkable performance at Stade Louis II to come away with a deserving 2-1 victory.

A Disastrous Beginning For Barcelona

Both Monaco and Barcelona started well. The Monagasque side was happy to cede possession, as long as the Blaugrana did not penetrate the final third. Monaco’s patience first paid dividends in the seventh minute, as Ben Seghir tested Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the first time with a curling effort. Three minutes later, Barca got themselves into trouble while trying to play out of the back. Ter Stegen attempted a horrendous pass to Eric Garcia, which Takumi Minamino intercepted. Desperate not to let Minamino get away, Garcia brought Minamino down at the edge of the area and got marching orders for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

In the 16th minute, Monaco made the extra man count, as Maghnes Akliouche fired the hosts into the lead. Receiving the ball from Vanderson, Akliouche penetrated the box and applied a low finish past Ter Stegen. Monaco’s lead, however, did not last for long, as Barcelona wonderboy Lamine Yamal equalized with his first attempt on goal. Receiving Marc Casado’s delivery from deep, Yamal breached the final third before cutting back and going for goal with his left foot. His low attempt zipped past the goalkeeper and nestled into the back of the net.

Three minutes after Yamal’s equalizer, Barcelona had a gilt-edged opportunity to pull ahead. Thanks to a miscommunication between Mohammed Salisu and goalkeeper Philipp Kohn, a simple collection turned into a nightmare. The loose ball fell to Alex Balde but he could not find the back of the net.

AS Monaco Land The Knockout Blow In The Second Half

Barcelona lost their spark in the second half, which allowed Monaco to take control of the game. After knocking on the door a couple of times, the hosts finally brought it down in the 71st minute. Vanderson’s long ball from deep sent George Ilenikhena through on goal and he applied a piledriver of a finish to find the left side of the netting. Things could have been even worse for Barcelona in the 87th minute when Inigo Martinez brought Folarin Balogun inside the area. Luckily, the VAR decided against awarding the hosts a penalty.

Barcelona now sits in 22nd place in the Champions League league rankings after Matchday 1. The Spanish giants must find a way to bounce back when they meet Young Boys in Gameweek 2 on October 1.