Barcelona completely failed in the battle for the Trofeu Joan Gamper. On Monday, AS Monaco unexpectedly defeated them 3-0.
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Barcelona faced a significant challenge in their final pre-season match, held at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, as they prepared for the upcoming La Liga season.
Manager Hansi Flick opted to field a strong starting lineup, featuring some of the team's most prominent players. Robert Lewandowski, one of the world's top strikers, led the attack, while Marc-André ter Stegen, a stalwart in goal, provided the last line of defense. The defense was bolstered by Jules Koundé, a player known for his versatility and composure on the ball. Raphinha, the Brazilian winger, also made the starting eleven, adding flair and creativity to the side.
On the bench, Flick had the luxury of European Championship winners Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, both of whom have been key players in recent international tournaments. Ilkay Gündogan, a recent signing from Manchester City, was also among the substitutes, highlighting the depth of quality available to the manager.
The match, however, did not go according to plan for the Catalan giants. Despite their strong lineup, Barcelona struggled to impose themselves on the game. Five minutes into the second half, the visitors, AS Monaco, took a shock lead. Lamine Camara, a 20-year-old midfielder who joined Monaco from FC Metz this summer, seized on a defensive error by Barcelona to score the opening goal. The young midfielder showed great composure to finish past Ter Stegen, silencing the home crowd.
Monaco, brimming with confidence, continued to press Barcelona and soon doubled their lead. This time, it was Breel Embolo, the Swiss international, who found the back of the net. Assisted by Takumi Minamino, Embolo's goal further compounded Barcelona's misery, as the Catalans were unable to deal with the pace and precision of Monaco's counter-attacks.
The final nail in the coffin came from Christian Mawissa, a recent addition to the Monaco squad from Toulouse. Mawissa, who had only been unveiled as a Monaco player the day before, capped off a memorable debut with a well-taken goal to make it 3-0. Monaco's victory was their second notable pre-season scalp, having already defeated Feyenoord in an earlier fixture. There is also speculation that PSV's Jordan Teze could soon join the ranks at Monaco, further strengthening their squad ahead of the new season.
Despite the disappointing result, the evening had its moments of celebration for Barcelona fans. Before the match, Dani Olmo, a Spanish international who had returned to the club for a reported fee of 55 million euros, was presented to the crowd. Olmo, who had spent several successful years at RB Leipzig, took to the pitch to showcase his skills, juggling a ball to the delight of the fans. The warm reception he received as he headed back to the locker rooms highlighted the excitement surrounding his return to the club.
Looking ahead, Barcelona will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to kick off their La Liga campaign. Their first match of the season is an away fixture against Valencia on Saturday, a game that will be crucial for setting the tone for the season. A week later, they will host Athletic Bilbao at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, where they will hope to put on a much-improved performance in front of their home fans.
The defeat to Monaco served as a wake-up call for Barcelona, who will need to address the defensive frailties and lack of cutting edge that were exposed in this match. With the new season just around the corner, there is little time to dwell on the loss, and the focus will now be on ensuring a strong start to their league campaign.
Updated: 08:58, 13 Aug 2024
