MONACO: Barcelona made a disappointing start to their Champions League campaign by losing 2-1 to AS Monaco on Thursday after suffering an early blow from defender Eric Garcia’s dismissal.

Meanwhile, a stunning David Raya double-save ensured Arsenal a goalless draw away to Europa League winners Atalanta.

Barcelona had a dreadful start at the Stade Louis II stadium when Garcia was shown a straight red card 11 minutes in for a foul on Monaco’s Takumi Minamino, who was clear in front of goal after a misplaced pass from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

“We didn’t understand each other in that moment, I feel bad for Eric,” Ter Stegen told Movistar Plus.

“We played 80 minutes with one less. It’s a football thing. The defeat hurts, because with 10 men on the pitch we gave our all and tried to get a point.”

The hosts grabbed the lead five minutes later when Maghnes Akliouche struck a low shot into the net, before Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal equalised in the 28th minute by finishing from the edge of the penalty area.

It was the first Champions League goal for Yamal who became the second youngest scorer (17-years-old, 68 days) in the competition behind team-mate Ansu Fati in 2019 (17-years-old, 40 days).

Hansi Flick’s kept his stubborn approach as he decided to defend with a high line but the tactic backfired as Monaco retained their lead in the 71st minute.

A dangerous long ball by Venderson found substitute George Ilenikhena who fired past Ter Stegen to secure victory.

“The game changed completely (with the red card),” Barcelona manager Flick said.

“We tried all the time, we defended with passion. We made some mistakes, but we tried to score goals. We had a few chances, but they deserved to win.

“Now we have to come back stronger, recover for Sunday’s game (at Villarreal in La Liga). We have to give our best and fight for the team,” the German coach added.

It was Monaco’s first main stage appearance in five years in Europe’s elite club competition.

“Winning against Barca, one of the biggest clubs in Europe, makes us happy and proud,” said Monaco coach Adi Hutter. “We played with courage and created a lot of chances.”

In Italy, Arsenal goalkeeper Raya earned his side a point in a tough start to their campaign against Atalanta with a 0-0 draw.

A tight match was lit up six minutes after the interval when Mateo Retegui saw Raya plunge down to his right to keep out his penalty, after a foul by Thomas Partey on Ederson.

The ball rebounded up in the air and Retegui looked set to casually nod the dropping ball into the gaping net but the Spaniard sprang to his feet and hurled himself back across the goal-line to claw the ball to safety.

“It’s just a penalty and I was lucky to go the right way and save it,” Raya told TNT Sports.

“I was unlucky to give the rebound straight back to him but I was quick enough to get up and save it.”

In the Spanish capital, a 90th-minute header by Jose Maria Gimenez sent Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone scuttling down the touchline in delight as his side edged visitors RB Leipzig 2-1.

Benjamin Sesko had put the German side in front just four minutes in, but Antoine Griezmann equalised just prior to the half-hour with a controlled finish from inside the penalty area.

The Frenchman then turned provider as he chipped a cross into the box, which Gimenez leapt highest to win at the back post and glance the ball back across Peter Gulacsi and into the Leipzig goal to spark wild celebrations in the Metropolitano Stadium.

“It’s amazing, to get a last-minute goal like this is always fantastic and it’s good to give the fans something to cheer about,” Atletico’s former Leipzig striker Alexander Sorloth told DAZN.

‘EFFICIENT’ LEVERKUSEN

Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz enjoyed a dream Champions League debut as the Bundesliga champions thumped Dutch side Feyenoord 4-0 away from home.

The 21-year-old scored a brace either side of an Alex Grimaldo strike before an own goal by Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther ensured Leverkusen had the points wrapped up by half-time.

“It may have looked pretty easy, but it’s really not,” Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso told reporters. “Overall it was a very serious, very efficient performance from us, but it’s never easy.”

In the night’s other match, French side Brest made a winning start in their first-ever appearance in European competition by seeing off Austria’s Sturm Graz 2-1.

Playing at Brittany rivals Guingamp’s home ground as their own stadium does not meet UEFA standards, Brest took the lead midway through the first half through Hugo Magnetti.

An own-goal by Edimilson Fernandes on the stroke of half-time levelled matters but Abdallah Sima’s smart finish in the 56th minute was enough to divide the sides.

Elsewhere, Benfica held on in Serbia against Red Star Belgrade to claim a 2-1 win courtesy of goals in the first half by Turkish duo Kerem Akturkoglu and Orkun Kokcu.

The second matchday of the Champions League league phase will take place on Oct 1 and 2 with Arsenal hosting Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich travelling to Aston Villa and reigning champions Real Madrid visiting Lille.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2024