The organizers of the UEFA Champions League intentionally stretched the first round of the renewed draw of the tournament over three game days, so that the fans had time to get used to the new realities of the football season and did not immediately overload themselves with an increased number of confrontations. As a result, even on the third day, everyone could find a match with an increased degree of interest.

Like, for example, the game at the Louis II stadium in French Monaco, where the club of the same name hosted the Catalan Barcelona on its own field. The important context of this confrontation was that none of the teams had conceded so far in the new season, and a little more than a month ago they crossed paths in a friendly tournament called the Gamper Cup, where the “Blaugranas” had the impudence to invite the “Monegasques” and they shocked the team Hans-Dieter Flick actually defeated (3:0). However, as even the head coach of the “red and whites” Adi Gütter noted, Barca managed to change significantly since then.

What was missing in Barcelona’s performance this season were frank signings, because under the new coach the players are trying to do the right thing. But at such a crucial moment, these same imports started on the same footing. In the tenth minute, ter Stegen simply set up Erik Garcia with a pass in a fight against two opponents to the area in front of the penalty area, he was attacked by Minamino, after which the Japanese had to be brought down. At the price of withdrawal, of course.

Monaco immediately took advantage of this advantage – Aklius finished the next attack with a shot from the right wing of the free-kick into the near corner, after which the hosts also had a chance from Kamara, who could have finished off Flick’s team with a long-range shot. But Barcelona was lucky then, in the context of the fact that Yamal was in its composition. Won a throw-in from Casado on the right wing on 28 minutes, shifted and shot into the near corner just like the opponent had done moments before.

And it was almost the first high-quality approach of Flick’s team to someone else’s goal, while the rest of the time, yes, they still had to defend. And the Catalan club at the back continued to be far from sinless, especially in situations related to the standards of the opponents. It was obvious that without substitutions at halftime this game could not be held.

And in the end, Flick did not make any rotation, although he had a rather lame choice on the bench, but still, the team noticeably lacked rotation. Monaco initially attacked moderately, but then began to gain momentum and add fresh players. It is clear that somewhere the defense of the “Blaugranas” could not hold out, and this is exactly what happened in the 72nd minute, when Wanderson pushed the ball behind the backs of the defenders through the central circle, and Ilenihena rushed to the penalty area, shot badly – right into ter Stegen, but he began to guess and simply cut the ball with his feet into the near corner.

In general, Mark-Andre was somewhat overshadowed this evening, so not a single good word can be said about his game, although there were also saves on the account of the now main goalkeeper of the German national team. The only thing that Barca could rely on was counterattacks, but they frankly did not come out, and under the curtain of the game, the opponents began to press again and again, they even managed to earn a penalty, but Balogun openly drew a foul on Iñigo, so it ended up being a one-goal defeat. And a lot of problems for the near future.

In the next round, France’s Monaco will visit Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb, while Catalonia’s Barcelona will host Switzerland’s Young Boys.

Monaco — Barcelona 2:1
Goals: Akliush, 16, Ilenikhena, 72 — Yamal, 28

Monaco: Ken – Singo, Kerer, Salisu, Wanderson (Mavissa, 88) – Kamara (Golovin, 46), Zakaria – Akliush, Minamino (Cayo Enrique, 70), Ben Sehir (Balogun, 70) – Embolo (Ilenikhena, 59).

Barcelona: ter Stegen – Kunde, Kubarsi (Dominguez, 79), I. Martinez, Balde (Fati, 88) – Pedri (Torre, 83), E. Garcia – Yamal (Martin, 79), Rafinha, Casado – Lewandowski (Ferrand, 80 ).

Warning: Ben-Sehir, Zakaria, Balogun — I. Martinez, Rafinha, Balde

Erik García (Barcelona) was sent off in the 11th minute (foul).