AS Monaco beat FC Barcelona on Thursday in the first day of the Champions League, while Brest, who had never played a European Cup match, made a successful start by dominating Sturm Graz.
With a numerical advantage, Monaco beat Lamine Yamal’s FC Barcelona (2-1) at Louis-II on Thursday, September 19, during the first day of the Champions League, which also saw Brest dominate Sturm Graz at Roudourou.
AS Monaco could have feared Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, first in La Liga with five wins in five matches. But Adi Hütter’s men started their match very well to the point of forcing the exclusion of Eric Garcia.
The midfielder held back Minamino who was racing towards goal, and whose anticipation to intercept Ter Stegen’s pass caused the Barcelona rearguard to panic (10th).
Maghnes Akliouche quickly capitalised on this advantage by unleashing a low shot at the near post to deceive the German goalkeeper (16th minute), under the eyes of Michael Jordan in the stands.
But Lamine Yamal, who has been sparkling since the start of the season and riding the wave of his Euro gala, brought the Catalans back to level by managing to refocus at the edge of the area before also striking low at the near post (28th).
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