register Magnes Aqliush (16) and George Elenikhina (72) scored Monaco’s goals, andAmen, my love (28) Goal Barcelonawho played with ten men since the tenth minute after the expulsion of their defender Eric Garcia.
The emirate’s team renewed its victory over the Catalan club after beating it 3-0 in the preparations for the new season, at its home ground, the Olympic Lluís Companys Stadium in Barcelona, on August 12.
This is Barcelona’s first loss under the leadership of its new German coach, Hansi Flick, after five victories in five stages in La Liga.
In contrast, Monaco achieved its fourth victory in all competitions this season, maintaining its unbeaten record after three wins and a draw in the league.
The emirate’s team also achieved its first victory over the Catalan club in three confrontations between them in the prestigious continental competition, after two losses in the group stage in the 1993-1994 season, the first 0-2 in Barcelona, and the second 0-1 in Monaco.
Barcelona played the match without their newly signed midfielder Dani Olmo, who was injured.
Monaco’s first dangerous attempt came when Moroccan international winger Ilyas Ben Seghir received the ball on the left side, penetrated the area before shooting it with his right foot into the hands of German international goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen (7).
Barcelona received an early blow, specifically after nine minutes and 32 seconds, when their defender Garcia was sent off for obstructing the Japanese Takumi Minamino when he was on his way to a one-on-one with Ter Stegen after he cut off the ball that the latter passed to his defender (10).
It is the fastest expulsion in Barcelona’s history in the prestigious continental competition.
Swiss Breel Embolo wasted a golden opportunity to open the scoring when he received a wrong ball from Pedri in front of the goal, so he controlled it and recklessly shot it into Ter Stegen’s hands (15).
Monaco did not delay in opening the scoring when the Algerian-born Aglioush took advantage of a long cross from the middle of the field from Brazilian defender Wanderson, then took off and penetrated the area, playing with defender Alejandro Balde, dribbling past Pedri and shooting between three players, creeping with his left foot to the left of Ter Stegen (16).
Jamal managed to equalize in Barcelona’s first attack when he received the ball behind the defense from Marc Casado, then he took off and shot it with his left foot from outside the area to the left of Swiss goalkeeper Philipp Kuhn (28).
It was Jamal’s first goal in 11 Champions League matches, making him the second youngest scorer for the Catalan club (17 years and 68 days) in the prestigious continental competition, behind Ansu Fati (17 years and 40 days).
Monaco continued their superiority in the second half, and Ter Stegen saved his goal from a certain goal by deflecting a powerful shot by Wanderson from outside the area to a corner kick that did not bear fruit (58).
Substitute Elenikhina succeeded in adding the second goal when he received the ball behind the defense from Vanderson, then he quickly ran and penetrated the area before shooting it powerfully with his left foot, which Ter Stegen failed to stop, so it embraced his own net (72).
Flick made three substitutions at once, bringing on Ferran Torres, Gerard Martin and Sergi Dominguez for Pau Coparsi, Robert Lewandowski and Jamal.
Ter Stegen continued his brilliance by stopping a powerful shot from a difficult angle by the American international substitute Folarin Balogun (81).
Monaco were awarded a penalty kick after Balogun was fouled inside the area by defender Inigo Martinez, but the referee cancelled it after resorting to the video assistant referee (VAR) (85).
In the second round, Barcelona will meet its guest, Young Boys of Switzerland, and in the third round, its guest, Bayern Munich of Germany, before visiting Red Star of Serbia, hosting Brest of France, and traveling to meet Borussia Dortmund of Germany, then Benfica of Portugal, and receiving Atalanta of Italy.
As for Monaco, it plays with Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia, Red Star Belgrade, Bologna of Italy, Benfica, Arsenal of England, its compatriot Aston Villa, and Inter of Italy.
