10 man Barcelona fall to defeat against Monaco in the opening of the Champions League

Barcelona are on the back foot in their 2024-25 Champions League campaign as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Monaco at the Stade Louis-II stadium in the Principality.

Full time: AS Monaco 2-1 FC Barcelona.

Barça start their Champions League campaign with a loss.

— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) September 19, 2024

Hansi Flick was forced into a change for this, as Eric Garcia replaced the injured Dani Olmo. However, the defender turned midfielder only lasted 11 minutes, as he was shown a straight red card for the last man challenge, which came after a mistake by Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

Five minutes later, Maghnes Akliouche scored a great solo goal as Monaco added to Barcelona's miserable start. However, the 10 men managed to find an equalizer in the opening half as Lamine Yamal scored his first goal in the Champions League – became the second youngest scorer in history in the process.

Barcelona tried to keep with 10 men during the second half, but they could not. Poor defending allowed George Ilenikhena to break through on goal, and he made no mistake in shooting Ter Stegenrestore the head of Monaco.

It is a first defeat of the Hansi Flick era for Barcelonaand things could have been so different but for Eric's first red card. This is the one that will punish.