In LaLiga, Barcelona has cruised to success. 4 wins in 4 video games have the aspect on the prime of the league with no workforce inside three factors. It was a distinct story on a uncommon Thursday night time within the UEFA Champions League. Ten minutes into the competition, a crimson card to Barcelona center-back Eric Garcia gave Monaco the person benefit. That was sufficient for the Ligue 1 aspect to select up a useful three factors to open their Champions League account in 2024/25.
That crimson card set the tone for your complete contest. Middle-back was already a weak place for Barcelona. Due to this fact, Barca boss Hansi Flick went with three conventional center-backs. Iñigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia made up the protection, despite the fact that Garcia was taking part in extra within the midfield. Not one of the trio have been culpable for the fault, although. A dismal cross from goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen gave the ball to Monaco’s Takumi Minamino. Garcia had no selection however to convey the Japanese worldwide down. His direct crimson card contributed to Barcelona going behind 5 minutes later.
Lamine Yamal’s particular person brilliance virtually salvaged one thing from this sport for Barcelona. {The teenager} leveled the sport going into halftime. But, that didn’t final your complete 90 minutes. George Ilenikhena, one other teenager, this time for Monaco, scored the game-winning purpose for Monaco within the 71st minute. Unable to push ahead due to the person deficit, Barcelona by no means appeared like a real risk going ahead. Nonetheless, this nonetheless ties again to the truth that Barcelona has a lackluster protection.
Barcelona not out of the Champions League, however there’s work to do
The league part of the Champions League is uncharted territory for every membership. Previously, a gap loss would give either side simply 5 video games to show across the early battle. Now, Barcelona has seven video games in opposition to differing ranges of opposition to take advantage of out of the Champions League. That features video games that Barcelona will probably be large favorites in. For instance, Crvena Zvezda, Younger Boys and Brest ought to all be easy contests for a aspect of Barcelona’s caliber.
That doesn’t account for the sturdy groups that Barcelona will face. Most notably, Barcelona should tackle Bayern Munich at residence with journeys to Borussia Dortmund and Benfica. One would suppose Barcelona will drop factors someplace alongside the best way. There is no such thing as a magic quantity for what would get a workforce into both the playoff stage or straight into the spherical of 16. Some estimates would put that quantity at 16 factors for the latter and 10 for the previous.
Regardless of the case could also be, Barcelona is behind tempo and clearly behind type. The aspect will miss Eric Garcia for the approaching contest in opposition to Younger Boys at residence. Iñigo Martinez picked up a yellow card for a merely foolish push away from the ball on a Monaco participant. These tiebreakers at the moment are value noting for Barcelona ought to it’s in a good race for qualifying because the marketing campaign progresses.
PHOTOS: IMAGO
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