Source: Alamy Stock Photo

First Defeat for Barcelona in Monaco

Monaco handed Barcelona their first defeat of the season with a 2-1 victory last night at the Louis II Stadium in the opening round of the UEFA Champions League.

Magnus Akliouche (16′) and Georges Ghelijnha (72′) scored for Monaco, while Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal (28′) scored the lone goal for the visitors, who were reduced to 10 men after defender Eric García was sent off in the 10th minute.

This marked Barcelona’s first loss under the management of new German coach Hansi Flick, following five consecutive wins in La Liga. The Catalan giants were also without their new midfield signing, Dani Olmo, who missed the game due to injury.

In other Champions League action, Bayer Leverkusen cruised to a commanding 4-0 away win over Feyenoord Rotterdam.

After making history by clinching their first-ever Bundesliga title last season without suffering a single defeat, Bayer Leverkusen kicked off their European campaign in style with their biggest-ever away win in the Champions League, equaling their 4-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in October 2013.

Spanish coach Xabi Alonso’s men secured all three points in the first half with goals from Florian Wirtz (5′, 36′), Spaniard Alejandro Grimaldo (30′), and an own goal from Dutch goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther (45′).

Elsewhere, Arsenal, last season’s Premier League runners-up, had to settle for a point after a 0-0 draw against Europa League champions Atalanta in Bergamo.

With Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan also in their group, Mikel Arteta’s men were aiming for a vital win in Italy to build momentum ahead of their crucial Premier League showdown against reigning champions Manchester City this Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.

However, Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to penetrate their Italian hosts’ defense, with Atalanta coming closest to claiming all three points. Brazilian forward Ederson earned a penalty after being fouled by Thomas Partey, but Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya came to the rescue. Raya produced a stunning save to deny Matteo Retegui’s spot-kick and followed it up with a crucial stop on the striker’s header from the rebound (51), keeping the match level.

Atletico Madrid, Champions League runners-up in 1974, 2014, and 2016 came from behind to beat RB Leipzig 2-1 in Madrid. Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško opened the scoring with a header in the 4th minute, but Antoine Griezmann’s volley from a Marcos Llorente cross (28′) leveled the match. Uruguayan defender José María Giménez headed in the winner from a Griezmann corner in the 90th minute, sealing the comeback victory.

Lastly, French side Brest made a memorable Champions League debut with a 2-1 win over Austrian outfit Sturm Graz. Hugo Magnetti (23′) and Cameroonian forward Abdallah Sima (56′) scored for Brest, while Swiss defender Edimilson Fernandes put one into his own net just before halftime (45+1′). Sturm Graz finished the match with 10 men after Belgian defender Dimitri Lavalée received a red card in the 88th minute.

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