Barcelona’s Champions League campaign started on a disappointing note, falling 2-1 to Monaco in their opening group stage clash on Thursday. The match’s outcome was heavily influenced by an early red card given to Eric Garcia, which forced Barcelona to play with 10 men for nearly 80 minutes.
Despite coming into the game in high spirits after a perfect start to their La Liga campaign under new manager Hansi Flick, Barcelona struggled to adapt after the early dismissal. Garcia was sent off in the 11th minute for pulling down Takumi Minamino, the former Liverpool midfielder, who was through on goal. The referee had little choice but to show a straight red card, leaving the Catalan side to face the rest of the match a man down.
Monaco wasted no time in capitalizing on the numerical advantage. Just six minutes after Garcia’s departure, Maghnes Akliouche scored the opening goal, expertly finishing after some good work in the box. With Barcelona’s defense reeling, Monaco looked to pile on the pressure, but the La Liga leaders managed to regain some composure despite being at a disadvantage.
Barcelona, despite playing with ten men, created a few promising chances. The most significant moment came from the club’s 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal. The teenager showcased his immense talent with a sensational equalizer in the 29th minute. Cutting inside from the right flank, Yamal fired a low shot that found its way inside the near post, bringing Barcelona back on level terms. His goal made him the second-youngest scorer in Champions League history at 17 years and 68 days, trailing only Ansu Fati, who watched from the bench. The moment provided a brief spark of hope for Barcelona, but it was short-lived.
Monaco, determined to regain the lead, continued to threaten throughout the second half. George Ilenikhena, an 18-year-old Nigerian forward, eventually delivered the winning goal in the 71st minute. Vanderson lofted a long ball over Barcelona’s defense, and Ilenikhena raced onto it, keeping Inigo Martinez in his wake before firing a low shot that squirmed past Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Although Ter Stegen got a hand to the ball, it wasn’t enough to prevent it from finding the back of the net.
Barcelona tried to rally in the final moments of the game, with Flick introducing Ansu Fati for his first appearance since August 2023. However, Monaco’s defense held firm, and Barcelona struggled to create any clear-cut chances to equalize.
The drama didn’t end there, though. Monaco thought they had a chance to put the game beyond doubt when Folarin Balogun won a penalty late in the game. However, after a VAR review, the referee overturned the decision, ruling that there was no foul on Balogun, much to Barcelona’s relief. While the penalty decision was canceled, Barcelona still couldn’t take advantage of the reprieve.
Reflecting on the game, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen took responsibility for the error that led to Garcia’s red card. “We didn’t communicate well in that situation, and I feel bad for Eric. This defeat hurts because, even with 10 men, we fought to get something out of the game,” Ter Stegen told Movistar. Despite a solid performance between the posts, including a crucial save to deny Balogun, the German keeper acknowledged that Barcelona’s European struggles continued.
Barcelona’s failure to gain any points from their first Champions League game puts immediate pressure on the team to perform in their remaining fixtures. They have struggled in European competitions in recent seasons, and this early setback only heightens the scrutiny on their ability to compete at the highest level. Hansi Flick’s side, who have been dominant in domestic competitions, now face the difficult task of getting their Champions League campaign back on track.
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Can Yamal Start Now?
The standout performance of the match for Barcelona was undoubtedly from Lamine Yamal. At just 17 years old, Yamal demonstrated his immense potential with his brilliant equalizer, becoming the second-youngest scorer in the history of the Champions League. His composure and technical ability shone through in a game where Barcelona struggled to create chances.
Given his performances both domestically and in Europe, there’s a growing argument that Yamal could be trusted as a regular starter. Despite his age, his maturity on the field and his ability to change games have made him one of Barcelona’s most exciting prospects. With injuries and suspensions likely to affect the squad throughout the season, Yamal’s continued development will be crucial to Barcelona’s fortunes, especially if they want to reclaim their standing in European football.
Why Was VAR Overturned?
Late in the match, Monaco was awarded a penalty after Folarin Balogun went down under pressure from Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez. Initially, the referee pointed to the spot, believing Martinez had committed a foul. However, after consulting VAR, the referee reviewed the incident and overturned the decision. The VAR footage revealed that there was minimal contact between the players, and Balogun appeared to go down too easily, leading the referee to rule out the penalty. Although Barcelona were spared from conceding a third goal, they were unable to capitalize on the lifeline and left Monaco empty-handed.
