UEFA Champions League, Round 1, 19/09/24
Luke Entwistle reporting from Monaco
AS Monaco beat Barcelona (2-1) to make a triumphant return to the UEFA Champions League after a six-year absence. George Ilenikhena, imperious off the bench, made the difference, netting the winning goal.
The Match
After a six-year absence from the Champions League, Monaco could hardly asked for a better reintroduction in the first 20 minutes. Takumi Minamino picked Eric Garcia’s pocket in the 10th minute, with the Spaniard, Barça’s last man, proceeding to bring him down. The red card was logical and gave Les Monégasques added impetus, which was refelcted in the scoreline just six minutes later.
Maghnes Akliouche, as he so often has done in the league, cut in from the right, before beating Marc-André ter Stegen with a finish at his near post. The Principality club had plenty of half-chances, many of which fell to the wasteful Breel Embolo, but it was 10-man Barcelona, who pulled themselves level, thanks to Lamine Yamal.
Yamal’s mere presence in the team forced Adi Hütter to adjust his whole team, bringing Vanderson across to deal with the threat. However, the Brazilian, poorly positioned, was caught under the ball. The Spain international used his body well to shield Vanderson from the ball before cutting inside and beating Philipp Köhn at the near post, just as Akliouche had done just 10 minutes earlier.
Les Monégasques, with their numerical advantage, exerted more control, but without creating any truly clear-cut chances. Barcelona, on the other hand, continued to look dangerous on the break. Monaco’s momentum looked to have dissipated, but the game drifting, Vanderson, at fault for Barça’s goal, redeemed himself.
His sweeping pass found George Ilenikhena’s perfectly-time run in behind. One-on-one, he beat ter Stegen, who should have done better with the effort. Monaco looked to put the game out of reach. Ilenikhena came close, as did Folarin Balogun, who also made a big difference off the bench. The latter forced ter Stegen into a good save at his near post, his first of the night.
Balogun then thought he had earned a penalty when Iñigo Martínez brought him down in the box. Despite the referee initially pointing to the spot, he changed his mind, after consultation with VAR. Ultimately, the two goals sufficed as Monaco made a triumphant return to the Champions League.
Monaco player ratings
Philipp Köhn – 6
Vanderson – 7
There were two sides to Vanderson. In an unfamiliar position, he was targeted by Barcelona and he struggled to contain Yamal and Jules Koundé, the latter dangerous with his over-lapping runs. He was at fault for Yamal’s goal. However, he finished the game with two assists, the second a sublime cross-field ball. Going forward brilliant but defensively suspect – it’s not often that you can say that about Vanderson.
Mohammed Salisu – 6
Thilo Kehrer – 6
Wilfried Singo – 7
Less present at the start of this season, Singo, Monaco’s best defender last season, was crucial for Monaco going forward down the right, whilst on two occasions, he used his pace to recover and deny Raphinha. So crucial for going forward, and backwards, for Monaco.
Lamine Camara – 5
Replaced by Aleksandr Golovin (6) at half-time.
Denis Zakaria – 6
Eliesse Ben Seghir – 6
Takumi Minamino – 5
Maghnes Akliouche – 7
A dazzling Champions League debut from Akliouche, who took his goal superbly, and who remained a threat throughout. Hütter talked about the Champions League being “the perfect stage” to show off Monaco’s young talent. Akliouche certainly made a good impression.
Breel Embolo – 3
Most of Monaco’s chances fell his way, and he was unable to do much with them. Whilst helpful in build-up, his touch was poor and he was slow to get his shot away, meaning that he squandered many of his chances, either failing to get his shot away or seeing his effort blocked. He was replaced by George Ilenikhena, who completely transformed the match, netting the goal and creating multiple other chances. His cameo only highlighted Embolo’s shortcomings on the night.
