The first day of the new league phase of the UEFA Champions League provided a complicated visit to AS Monaco for FC Barcelona. The culés already faced the Principality's team in Montjuïc on August 12 in the Joan Gamper Trophy (0-3), where the French gave the surprise with an unexpected win. Since then, both teams have remained undefeated in their respective leagues, with the Blaugrana team leading the Spanish championship with an iron fist.
Hansi Flick's men began the season with three victories by identical results (2-1) against Valencia, Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano, with the duel against the Basques being the only one played at home. Afterwards, the Barça team unleashed their entire offensive arsenal against Valladolid (7-0) just before the international break. On Sunday, Barça returned to action with another resounding win, this time in Montilivi against Girona (1-4).
With this, the culés maintain the perfect pace in LaLiga, with 15 points in 5 games and 17 goals scored, conceding 4 goals so far. Barça is the best leader in the major European leagues, surpassing the records of Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, although these three teams also have ideal scores in their tournaments.
Match | Competition | Result |
Valencia-Barça | LaLiga | 1-2 |
Barça-Athletic | LaLiga | 2-1 |
Ray-Barça | LaLiga | 1-2 |
Barça-Valladolid | LaLiga | 7-0 |
Girona-Barça | LaLiga | 1-4 |
Monaco has remained undefeated after its exhibition at the Gamper
For its part, Monaco will also arrive undefeated at its European debut. Adi Hütter's men have three wins and a draw in four Ligue 1 matches, with only one defeat at home against Lens on Matchday 3 (1-1). The Principality's team started the season with a narrow victory at home against Saint-Étienne (1-0) thanks to a goal from former Liverpol Takumi Minamino.
In their second appearance, Monaco won with authority over Olympique Lyonnais (0-2) with goals from Ben Seghir and Lamine Camara. After the international break, Barça's first rival in the Champions League beat Auxerre as a visitor (0-3). Thilo Kehrer, Vanderson and Denis Sakaria converted so that Monaco remains third in Ligue 1 with 10 points (7 goals for and 1 against), 2 behind the leader PSG (12) and equal with Marseille (second for best goal difference). The Gauls, in addition to the home field, will also come to the game with the advantage of having played a day before their rival (on Saturday).
Match | Competition | Competition |
Monaco-Saint Étienne | It tie 1 | 1-0 |
Lyon-Monaco | It tie 1 | 0-2 |
Monaco-Lens | It tie 1 | 1-1 |
Auxerre-Monaco | It tie 1 | 0-3 |