Barcelona's ambitions for a triumphant start to this season’s Champions League were thwarted by a 2-1 defeat to Monaco. After an almost flawless run in La Liga, Culers were hopeful for a commanding European campaign, especially considering their struggles in the competition and the recent dominance of their arch-rivals.
But those aspirations took a massive hit, and questions are now swirling around Barcelona’s European prospects. The primary culprit for last night’s collapse was none other than their captain, Marc-André ter Stegen. Many are questioning if this performance reflects a lack of character and resilience, as the team faltered at the first significant hurdle.
A Tentative Beginning
Despite their domestic form, the Catalans started the match tentatively. The opening exchanges suggested that this would not be a commanding performance from the Spanish giants. A lengthy injury list and the pressure of the European stage seemed to weigh heavily on Barcelona, as has often been the case in recent seasons.
The game took a dramatic turn in the 10th minute, courtesy of a costly mistake by Ter Stegen, who described it as a "lack of understanding." Observers, however, saw it as a clear lapse in judgment. With safer options available on either flank, the captain chose to pass to Eric Garcia, who was under intense pressure from two Monaco attackers. A routine pass would have sufficed, but Ter Stegen’s lethargic delivery gifted the ball to the opposition. It was audacious of the captain to not fully own up to his mistake, instead offering a vague explanation.
The match’s complexion changed further when Barcelona were reduced to ten men. Monaco quickly capitalized, taking the lead before a moment of brilliance from Yamal leveled the score at 1-1. However, it was evident that Barcelona’s grip on the game was slipping. Coach Hansi Flick struggled to adapt to the loss of a player, and Monaco repeatedly breached the Spanish side’s defense. If not for Monaco's poor finishing and some last-ditch defending, the game could have been out of reach by halftime. Barcelona were fortunate to enter the break with the scores tied.
Despite a more spirited performance after the restart, the inevitable happened in the 71st minute. Ilenikhena exploited Barcelona’s high line and finished with aplomb, sealing the victory for Monaco. From there, Barcelona never looked like recovering, leaving serious questions about their European credentials.
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