Quickly ahead in the score and dominating throughout the match, the Red and Whites offered themselves a prestigious victory against Barça (2-1), to celebrate the Club’s return to the Champions League.
A gala poster and victory! In numerical superiority and more enterprising, the AS Monaco players went to seek a prestigious victory against FC Barcelona (2-1), for the Club’s return to the Champions League. All this, in a Stade Louis-II displaying full, and in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II and President Dmitry Rybolovlev, who congratulated captain Denis Zakaria for the team’s performance after the match. Report ✍️
The context ????
It is with the confidence of a good start to the season in Ligue 1 (3 wins, 1 draw) and strong from a victory in preparation against the Blaugrana in the Joan Gamper Trophy (0-3), that the Red and Whites begin this Champions League campaign. Opposite, Hansi Flick’s men have made a great start in La Liga (5 wins, 17 goals scored), carried by their 17-year-old prodigy, Lamine Yamal.
The composition ????
To face this re-energized Barça, Adi Hütter decides to trust his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, with the trio Akliouche – Minamino – Ben Seghir to lead the Monaco attack. Wilfried Singo is starting on the right of the defense, while Vanderson is exceptionally tasked with securing the left flank.
The scenario ????
This gala match kicks off in a grand atmosphere at the Stade Louis-II, which is sold out for the occasion. We have to wait until the 7th minute to see Eliesse Ben Seghir’s first attempt. Then the match takes an unexpected turn, when Eric Garcia receives a straight red card (10th). Lamine Camara’s free kick then hits the Barcelona wall (12th), before Breel Embolo stumbles on Ter Stegen (14th).
Magic Maghnes to turn on the light!
But the spark finally came from Maghnes Akliouche, who, by cutting back into the middle, closed his left foot perfectly at the near post (1-0, 16th)! What an action from the Monaco number 11, author of his 10th goal with the Diagonal on his shoulders. Joy was short-lived unfortunately, since after unsuccessful attempts by Camara (21st) and Embolo (27th), Lamine Yamal scored the copy-paste of the opening score (1-1, 28th).
Situations… and tension
Not defeated, the Red and Whites set off again, but Singo’s goal was logically disallowed for offside (35th), while Takumi Minamino found the side netting (38th). Mohammed Salisu then missed a few centimetres to take Camara’s free kick from six metres (44th). Half-time was therefore whistled with this score equalised, the moment chosen by Adi Hütter to launch Aleksandr Golovin in the 2nd half (46th).
George in super sub mode!
After a few minutes of observation, it took perfect anticipation from Philipp Köhn to prevent Raphinha from scoring alone on the counter (52nd). Then the Monaco enclosure trembled with Vanderson’s shot from 25 metres out, deflected for a corner by Ter Stegen (57th). The same shiver with Taki’s powerful shot, deflected just over the bar (65th). This time, the joy was total when George Ilenikhena, launched deep, beat the Catalan goalkeeper (2-1, 71st)!
A prestigious success to start the C1
First goal in official competition for the 18-year-old Nigerian striker with AS Monaco, who even came close to scoring twice in the process (80th). Then it was Folarin Balogun, who came on as a substitute, who saw his shot from close range pushed back by Ter Stegen (81st). Barça, physically exhausted, only showed danger on a free kick from Raphinha (93rd).
This will be the last cartridge, and AS Monaco finally wins with character and experience in this first day of the Champions League (2-1), six years later and under the eyes of the Legend Michael Jordan, present in the stands of the Stade Louis-II. DAGHE MUNEGU!!! ????????
Les highlights ????
7th: First strike from Ben Seghir, into Ter Stegen’s gloves
10th: Red card for Eric Garcia
14th: Minamino passes to Embolo who stumbles on the Catalan goalkeeper
16th: Akliouche comes into the middle and closes his left foot perfectly (1-0)
21st: Vanderson shifts to Camara who strikes powerfully from afar
27th: Singo passes to Embolo who
28th: Yamal cuts back into the middle and shoots hard at the near post (1-1)
35th: Singo’s goal disallowed for offside
38th: Minamino’s shot into the side netting
44th: Free kick from Camara taken wide by Salisu
52nd: Nice exit from Köhn on foot in front of Raphinha
57th: Vanderson’s curling shot is deflected by Ter Stegen
65th: Minamino inherits the ball from a corner and shoots just over
71st: Launched in depth, Ilenikhena goes to deceive Ter Stegen (2-1)
80th: Ilenikhena’s low shot goes wide
81st: Balogun fires from a tight angle but Ter Stegen turns it away
93rd: Free kick off target by Raphinha
???? The match sheet:
Thursday September 19 – Stade Louis-II
Champions League – 1st day: AS Monaco 2-1 FC Barcelona
Half-time: 1-1
Buts : Akliouche (16th), Ilenikhena (71st) for AS Monaco; Yamal (28th) for Barcelona
Yellow cards: Ben Seghir (29th), Camara (36th), Mawissa (92nd) and Balogun (96th) for AS Monaco; Martinez (75th) and Balde (85th) for Barcelona
Red card: Garcia (10th) for Barcelona
AS Monaco : Köhn – Singo, Kehrer, Salisu, Vanderson (Mawissa, 88th) – Camara (Golovin, 46th), Zakaria ©️ – Akliouche, Minamino (C.Henrique, 70th), Ben Seghir (Balogun, 69th) – Embolo (Ilenikhena, 59th)
Replacements: Lienard, C.Henrique, Mawissa, Ouattara, Teze, Diatta, Golovin, Magassa, Matazo, Balogun, Ilenikhena
Coach : Adi Hütter
FC Barcelone : Ter Stegen – Koundé, Cubarsi (Dominguez, 79th), Martinez – Garcia, Casado, Balde (Fati, 88th) – Yamal (Torres, 79th), Pedri (Torre, 83rd), Raphinha – Lewandowski (Martin, 80th)
Replacements: Astralaga, Pena, Cuenca, Dominguez, Fort, Martin, Guillermo, Torre, Victor, Fati, Fernandez, Torres
Coach : Hansi Flick
