Published: September 20, 2024, EDT
The Champions League kicked off its revamped format with thrilling matches on Thursday, showcasing a blend of emerging talent and established stars. Barcelona and Arsenal found themselves in challenging situations, with one suffering a surprising defeat while the other relied on stellar goalkeeping to salvage a point.
Monaco’s Stunning Upset Over Barcelona
In one of the most talked-about matches of the night, AS Monaco triumphed over Barcelona, dealing a significant blow to the Blaugrana’s early-season momentum. Despite having won all five of their La Liga games under coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona faced their first major setback in the Champions League.
The turning point came just 11 minutes in when defender Eric García received a red card for a last-man foul on Takumi Minamino. This early dismissal forced Barcelona to alter their game plan significantly. Flick addressed the media post-match, acknowledging the challenge: “We have to accept that these things happen. The red card changed everything.”
Monaco seized the opportunity, with Maghnes Akliouche opening the scoring in the 16th minute. His powerful shot from the right wing found the net, leaving goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen with little chance. Barcelona managed to equalize shortly after, with 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal scoring his first Champions League goal. However, it was Monaco’s rising star, George Ilenikhena, who stole the show, scoring the decisive goal in the 71st minute. At just 18 years old, Ilenikhena became Monaco’s youngest Champions League goalscorer, breaking the record previously held by Kylian Mbappé.
Flick encouraged his team to lift their spirits despite the loss, emphasizing the need to focus on their upcoming match against Villarreal.
Arsenal Holds On Thanks to Raya’s Heroics
Meanwhile, Arsenal faced Atalanta in what many expected to be a straightforward win for the Gunners. However, it was a gritty performance from goalkeeper David Raya that kept Arsenal in the game, resulting in a hard-fought 0-0 draw.
Raya’s standout moment came when Atalanta was awarded a penalty early in the second half for a foul by Thomas Partey on Éderson. The goalkeeper produced an incredible save against Mateo Retegui, deflecting the penalty shot to his right. Moments later, he demonstrated his reflexes again by blocking Retegui’s header from the rebound.
Manager Mikel Arteta praised Raya’s performance: “We needed those two phenomenal saves to stay competitive. His leadership and presence are crucial for us.”
Florian Wirtz Shines on His Champions League Debut
Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz also made headlines, marking his Champions League debut in spectacular fashion. He scored just five minutes into the match against Feyenoord, showcasing his talent with a stunning left-footed shot from the edge of the box. Wirtz added a second goal in the 36th minute, volleying home from a Jeremie Frimpong cross. Leverkusen dominated the game, with an own goal from Feyenoord’s Timon Wellenreuther concluding a 4-0 rout.
“I’m delighted to have made such an impact on my debut,” Wirtz said. “The victory is what matters most.”
A Mixed Start for the New Champions League Format
The newly implemented Swiss model for the Champions League has drawn mixed reactions from fans. While it aims to enhance competition by allowing all 36 teams to compete in a single league format, some have expressed dissatisfaction with the early matches, which featured several mismatches.
The much-anticipated rematch between Manchester City and Inter Milan ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw, raising concerns about player fatigue with the expanded schedule. Fans took to social media to voice their frustrations, noting that the new format could lead to less competitive matches until the knockout stages.
One social media user remarked, “This new Champions League format feels complicated and lacks excitement.” Another added, “It’s hard to see how this setup will create the intense competition we crave.”
As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen how fans will adapt to the changes and whether the quality of matches will improve. All eyes will be on the next matchday, featuring Arsenal against Paris Saint-Germain on October 1.
Thursday’s Match Results
Here’s a quick overview of Thursday’s Champions League results:
- Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) 1 – 2 Benfica
- Feyenoord 0 – 4 Bayer Leverkusen
- Stade Brestois 2 – 1 Sturm Graz
- Atalanta 0 – 0 Arsenal
- Atlético Madrid 2 – 1 RB Leipzig
- AS Monaco 2 – 1 Barcelona
As the Champions League unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching the performances of teams and players in this thrilling tournament. Stay tuned for more exciting action as Europe’s top clubs vie for glory on the continental stage.