FULL-TIME, Monaco 2-1 Barcelona: Barça’s perfect record ends in their European debut as they lose to Monaco for the second time in a month. We’ll never know how the game would have played out if Barça had 11 men for the entire night, but their hunger, desire and organization for the final 80 minutes proves they are on the right track under Hansi Flick.
87’ PENALTY CANCELLED: The referee reverses his decision after a look at the screen that shows he was obviously wrong, but he can’t take back the three yellow cards he gave to Barça players for simply protesting his bad decision. What terrible refereeing.
85’ PENALTY FOR MONACO: Folarin Balogun goes down in the box under the challenge of Iñigo Martínez and the referee points to the spot. It’s a truly horrible decision and a clear dive.
71’ GOAL, Monaco 2-1 Barcelona (Ilenikhena): Monaco retake the lead. A long ball from the back finds George Ilenikhena all alone with time and space to run into the box and fire it past Ter Stegen and into the net.
SECOND HALF KICKOFF! Monaco 1-1 Barcelona: Back underway in Monaco!
HALFTIME, Monaco 1-1 Barcelona: A wild and chaotic first half ends with two goals, a red card, plenty of fouls and physicality and a Barça team that is competing as hard as they can with 10 men. There is still 45 minutes to go, and Hansi Flick now has a chance to organize and rally his troops at the break to try and salvage at least a point.
35’ GOAL DISALLOWED: Wilfried Singo finds the net for Monaco on a free-kick, but the goal is correctly ruled out for offside.
28’ GOAL!!!! Monaco 1-1 Barcelona (Yamal): BARÇA EQUALIZE!!! Marc Casadó plays a gorgeous ball over the top to find Lamine Yamal, who cuts inside and finds the bottom corner to score his first career Champions League goal!!!
16’ GOAL, Monaco 1-0 Barcelona (Akliouche): Monaco take the lead. A long ball from left to right finds Maghnes Akliouche in space, and the young winger cuts inside on his left foot and finds the net for the home team.
11’ RED CARD: Barça are down to 10 men as Eric García is shown a straight red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity with a foul on Takumi Minamino. Marc-André ter Stegen put Eric in a tough spot with a bad pass, and García took one for the team to avoid an early goal.
KICKOFF! Monaco 0-0 Barcelona: And we’re underway in Monaco!
WELCOME TO THE STADE LOUIS II!!! The charming home of AS Monaco in the beautiful Principality of Monaco, France is the site of the opening Champions League clash between the hosts and Barcelona, who look to maintain their perfect record to begin the season and start a new European journey in the competition’s new League Phase format with three points against a young, fast, good Monaco side that beat Barça in the Blaugrana’s final preseason game. This should be all kinds of fun, and you’re welcome to join us to follow and comment all the action. Vamos!
(Note: the comments will be opened only when the team news come out, because our commenter people love commenting and sometimes there are too many comments in the comments section)
LINEUPS
BARCELONA
Starting XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Balde; Eric, Casadó; Yamal, Pedri, Raphinha; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
Substitutes: Peña (GK), Astralaga (GK), Domínguez, Cuenca, Fort, Martín, Torre, Guille, Toni, Ferran, Fati, Víctor
MONACO
Starting XI: Köhn; Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Singo; Camara, Zakaria; Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir; Embolo (4-2-3-1)
Substitutes: Lienard (GK), Teze, Matazo, Balogun, Golovin, Henrique, Mawissa, Ouattara, Ilenikhena, Diatta, Magassa
MATCH INFO
Competition/Round: 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, League Phase, Matchday 1
Date/Time: Thursday, September 19, 2024, 9pm CET (Barcelona), 8pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 3pm ET, 12pm PT (USA), 12.30am IST (India, Friday)
Venue: Stade Louis II, Monaco, France
Referee: Allard Lindhout (NED)
VAR: Dennis Higler (NED)
HOW TO WATCH
On TV: TUDN (USA), TNT Sports 2 (UK), SONY TEN 1 (India), SuperSport (Nigeria), Movistar (Spain), others
Online: Paramount+ (USA), discovery+ (UK), Movistar+ (Spain), others
Matchday Thread Rules
We don’t have a lot of rules here, but there are a few things to keep in mind when joining our matchday threads:
Even if the referee sucks or we lose the game, watch the swearing. It’s just unnecessary. Also, don’t discuss illegal streaming links. Those who do it will be warned, and those who post links will be instantly banned. Finally, be nice to each other. This is a Barcelona community and we don’t need to offend one another.
Have fun with the game! Forever and ever, no matter the competition, VISCA EL BARÇA!
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