One of the new features of the renewed 2024-2025 Champions League is to have activity on Thursdays, the day on which the Europa League and, now, the Conference League are concentrated. Closing the first day of the League Phase, Barcelona’s visit to the principality of Monaco was most attractive. The debut of the Catalan cast, which always appears as a contender for the crown, It was with a stumble, losing 2-1 to the locals.
It was the 350th game for the Catalans in the European Cup (now known as the Champions League), and they are in very good form after their overwhelming start in the local championship. Under the guidance of German coach Hansi Flick, They lead LaLiga with a perfect score after five games (15 points) and with 17 goals scored. The mission was to take that to the international stage, with an important absence like that of Dani Olmo, injured.
Although the antecedents called for optimism for the Blaugrana, the reality is that they suffered in the match against Guillermo Maripán’s former team (the Chilean national team left for Torino in Italy). Any game plan in Flick’s head fell apart early on, because Barcelona was left with one less player. Only 10 minutes had passed and Eric García was sent off for preventing a clear goal-scoring situation. One of the visiting central midfielders brought down the Japanese Minamino, who was heading straight for goal after a bad pass from Ter Stegen. A large part of García’s misfortune is related to the poor passing of the German goalkeeper.
Barça had to reorganize and Monaco took control of the actions, so much so that The opening goal came in the 16th minute. The 1-0 was scored by Maghnes AklioucheFranco-Algerian silver medalist with The Blues at the recent Paris Olympics. He was dodging his opponents and fired a shot at Ter Stegen’s near post.
With one less player on the court and at a disadvantage, the outlook was more than complicated for the Spaniards. However, when the doors were closed, Lamine Yamal found a window. In the 28th minute, the teenage prodigy of Spanish football, who was key in the Euro Cup title, tied the score with a shot at the near post by goalkeeper Kohn. For a Barça team that struggled in defence, getting level before half-time was a good idea.
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In the second half, Flick’s team managed to hide the absence of a player, overcoming a test that had become more complicated than expected. However, a defensive lapse was exploited by Monaco to make it 2-1. In the 72nd minute, George Ilenikhena beat Ter Stegen with a powerful shot. Although the match was 11 against 10, the Monegasques did everything they could to win.
A stumble for Barcelona, starting their journey in the new Champions League. Monaco ends up being a thorn in the side of the culés at the start of the season, because He had also beaten him in the Joan Gamper Trophy, traditional friendly match that serves as a way for Barça to present its squad.
In the rest of the matches, Bayer Leverkusen’s thrashing stood out above all else. The Bundesliga champions beat Feyenoord 4-0 on the road, with Florian Wirtz as the key player. The German national team scored twice (5′ and 36′). The other goals were scored by Alejandro Grimaldo (30′) and an own goal by goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther (44′).
Meanwhile, Arsenal went to Italy and drew 0-0 against Atalanta, the reigning Europa League champions. Goalkeeper David Raya was key for the Gunners, saving a penalty.
