In LaLiga, Barcelona has cruised to success. Four wins in four games have the side at the top of the league with no team inside of three points. It was a different story on a rare Thursday night in the UEFA Champions League. Ten minutes into the contest, a red card to Barcelona center-back Eric Garcia gave Monaco the man advantage. That was enough for the Ligue 1 side to pick up an invaluable three points to open their Champions League account in 2024/25.

That red card set the tone for the entire contest. Center-back was already a weak position for Barcelona. Therefore, Barca boss Hansi Flick went with three traditional center-backs. Iñigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia made up the defense, even though Garcia was playing more in the midfield. None of the trio were culpable for the fault, though. A dismal pass from goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen gave the ball to Monaco’s Takumi Minamino. Garcia had no choice but to bring the Japanese international down. His direct red card contributed to Barcelona going behind five minutes later.

Lamine Yamal’s individual brilliance almost salvaged something from this game for Barcelona. The teenager leveled the game going into halftime. Yet, that did not last the entire 90 minutes. George Ilenikhena, another teenager, this time for Monaco, scored the game-winning goal for Monaco in the 71st minute. Unable to push forward because of the man deficit, Barcelona never looked like a true threat going forward. However, this still ties back to the fact that Barcelona has a lackluster defense.