2024-09-20 14:18:31
FC Barcelona got off to a perfect start in the league. But coach Hansi Flick’s team suffered a defeat in the Champions League.
DFB goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen made a mistake in the build-up play, playing an inaccurate pass to his teammate Eric García. The defender lost the duel against Monaco’s Minamino, who fell to the ground and earned García a red card (10th minute). Barça thus played almost the entire match with fewer players.
“The red card changed the game completely,” Flick told Movistar, “we defended with passion, but we made some mistakes. We had some chances, but they deserved the win.”
Although the following free kick didn’t produce anything, Monaco didn’t have to wait long for the lead. Maghnes Akliouche put coach Adi Hütter’s team ahead in the 14th minute. But Flick’s team came back. Lamine Yamal equalized just under a quarter of an hour later.
For a long time, Barcelona were able to hold their own against the hosts, who were playing with a numerical advantage, but the decision was made in the second half. During a Monaco counterattack, it was 18-year-old George Ilenikhena who caught ter Stegen off guard and scored the final score of 2:1.
National player Kai Havertz and Arsenal FC could only manage a 0:0 draw against Europa League winners Atalanta Bergamo. The Gunners were lucky nonetheless, as Mateo Retegui missed the biggest chance when he missed a penalty for the hosts (51′).
The Austrian champions Sturm Graz, on the other hand, lost their opening match in the Champions League. At Stade Brest, the team coached by Christian Ilzer suffered a 1:2 defeat. Hugo Magnetti put Brest in the lead (23′). An own goal by former Mainz player Edimilson Fernades made the guests from Graz cheer shortly before half-time (45’+1), but shortly after the restart the winning goal came for the French (56′).