Barcelona's Champions League Opener vs. Monaco: Seeking Revenge and a Strong Start
The Champions League is back, and Barça are starting their campaign in the new-look format with a trip to Monaco. It’s a match with plenty of intrigue: a chance for Barcelona to get some revenge, get off to a good start in a new League Phase format, and continue their amazing start to the season.
The old group stage is gone, which means Barça will meet Monaco only once in the initial phase. That gives the Blaugrana just one chance to avenge their worst game under Hansi Flick yet, a 3-0 defeat in the Joan Gamper Trophy that remains the only low point since the German took charge.
A Chance for Revenge
Even though it was the last game of preseason just a few days after a long and exhausting trip back from the United States tour, it still featured a lot of things that made Barça fans frustrated with previous versions of the team: slow, unimaginative passing, non-existent pressing without the ball, terrible organization at the back and a general apathy that bored everyone, from players to fans.
Thankfully the first five official matches that followed that Gamper defeat were the complete opposite, and gave us five exciting wins and a version of Barça that we haven’t seen since literally the last time they won the Champions League a whole decade ago. Flick’s team is hungry, intense, well-organized, high-scoring and unpredictable, a mark of Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique’s sides during the period when Barça ruled both Spain and Europe.
Now Barça meet Monaco again five weeks later, which a chance to prove once and for all that the Gamper loss was simply the result of tired legs from the long trip to America and a few individual mistakes we haven’t seen in any of the competitive games. The attack also looks a lot different than it did that night, but the Catalans will face a Monaco defense that’s conceded just once in their first four Ligue 1 games and is very well-coached by Adi Hütter.
New Format, New Challenges
Monaco are legitimately good, but Barça are much better than they were the last time these teams met. It’s a chance for the Blaugrana to get some revenge, get off to a good start in a new League Phase format that should have a very tight race for the coveted Top 8 positions, and continue their amazing start to the season to keep all vibes immaculate.
Barcelona enter Champions League play in good form under new manager Hansi Flick, and they'll look to get off to a hot start Thursday against AS Monaco. Flick has gotten Barcelona back to the top of La Liga with an eye popping 17 goals scored in only five games, and while Robert Lewandowski has led the way with four goals, it has been a team effort. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha patrol the wings and Dani Olmo has been there in the middle to set everyone up as this team attacks with ease.
Monaco's Threat
Monaco have had a solid start to the Ligue 1 season thanks to strong play from their defense but they haven't faced a team who can attack like Barcelona so this will be a good test to see how far they can go.
Key Matchups and Predictions
Barcelona's Injury Concerns
Barcelona's fitness woes have only been exacerbated by Dani Olmo injuring his hamstring against Girona at the weekend. The Spaniard faces at least a month out of action and won't return until after the October international break.
Olmo joins fellow midfielders Fermin Lopez, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi in the treatment room, although the latter is edging closer to a first-team return. At the back, Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo are still missing.
Monaco's Strength in Depth
The midfielder, who has impressed since a summer move from Metz, should return to Adi Hutter's starting lineup, with the in-form Denis Zakaria likely to partner him in the engine room.
There may be a return to the starting XI for former Liverpool attacking midfielder Takumi Minamino, while Breel Embolo should lead the line ahead of ex-Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
Predicted Lineups
Monaco (4-2-3-1): Kohn; Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Henrique; Camara, Zakaria; Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir; Embolo.
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Raphinha, Torres; Lewandowski.
Barcelona may have made the dream start to the Flick era but Monaco have enjoyed a winning opening to the 2024/25 campaign as well. The Ligue 1 side have won three of their opening four fixtures, picking up a draw against Lens on matchday three.
They will pose Barca plenty of challenges, as exemplified by the pre-season meeting, and will fancy their chances of upsetting a backline and midfield short on personnel.
However, Barca's blistering early season form and impressive appetite for goal makes it impossible to look beyond a victory for the visitors, who will be among the leading candidates for the title should they continue their hot streak long-term.
Final Thoughts
This is a match that has the potential to be a thrilling encounter. Barcelona are in top form, but Monaco is no pushover. Expect a high-scoring game, with Barcelona ultimately coming out on top.
Let's dance.
