Alexander Golovin returned to the Champions League with Monaco six years later. But the Russian midfielder started the first matchday against Barcelona on the bench. Obviously, Monegasque coach Adi Hütter decided that our foreign player was not yet in top condition after the injury.
In the absence of new captain Golovin, centre Zakaria was handed the Monaco armband. Before the match, it was revealed that the Monegasque coach was preparing a special plan for Yamal, part of which would be to move Wanderson from the right to the left flank. In fact, it was the Brazilian who acted against Lamin. Early in the match, the loss of the young Barcelona star under pressure from Wanderson led to a counterattack by Monaco: thus, the home team created the first dangerous moment.
Barcelona, with the score at 0-0, had more possession and pressed, but this pressure was not as fat-burning and destructive as in the match against Girona last weekend. In the Champions League, Hans-Dieter Flick’s team acted a little more cautiously. However, this did not save them from the quick removal of Eric Garcia, who came on as a defensive midfielder. Monaco’s pressure worked. Rather, a wild “import” of Ter Stegen. What happened to the German goalkeeper who rolled the ball towards Garcia, who was under pressure? Minamino made an interception and Eric was forced to commit a foul in red.
The game changed and Monaco, who had won the game and the numerical advantage, soon scored. Vanderson himself gave a great diagonal to Akliush, who decided the episode through individual actions. Balde and Pedri only accompanied their opponent instead of receiving him harshly, and Magnes skilfully executed a low blow.
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Barcelona were down to ten men. They were unable to counterattack, except for the episode when Monaco opened up and failed to counterattack. However, Raphinha, who found herself in a one-on-one situation, was wonderfully beaten by Singo. Monaco could and should have scored more. And at the end of the half-hour, Yamal switched on genius mode again! He converted Barça’s first shot on goal into a goal. Here Wanderson played very badly: he lost both his position and the duel with Lamin, after which the Catalan winger fired a low shot from under Salisu. This is how Flick’s team saved the first half. At half-time, Monaco led in shots – 10:2 (on target – 5:1), but this may not be enough if the opponent has Yamal.
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Hütter was, of course, not happy with a home draw in such circumstances. And after the break, Golovin appeared on the field! The Russian midfielder replaced Camara, who, according to the coach, did not fly and did not suck Catalan blood. Apparently so, as the Senegalese seemed to have no injuries. It is true that Kamara was on the billboard. Our foreign player was placed in the centre of the field and was supposed to improve the ball movement of the Monegasques. Monaco had the ball about 70% of the time in the second half, but Barça was also better on the counterattack. And the first shot on goal was taken by Wanderson himself, whom Golovin found with a pass in a good position. If it were not for Stegen’s save, the Russian would have scored the assist. The German goalkeeper dealt with this episode as he should, but in some others he continued to act strangely. Once, on his way out, he almost kicked the ball into his own goal with his hand, then his inaccurate pass only miraculously prevented Minamino from going one-on-one. Ter Stegen started on Thursday on the wrong foot.
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At some point, Flick’s team really believed in themselves, pushed forward with great force and found themselves on the counterattack. Vanderson threw the ball forward and 18-year-old striker Ileniken broke away from Martinez, one-on-one. The newcomer from Antwerp did not shoot perfectly – in fact, straight at Ter Stegen, but the ball went into the net from the goalkeeper’s hands. Interestingly, this is the youngster’s second goal in the Champions League. And he scored his first goal for Antwerp in December last year against … Barcelona. And a winning one.
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Barça played the match without Yamal and Lewandowski: fifteen minutes before the end, Flick removed the tired leaders to freshen up the attack. However, Monaco preferred to go for the third goal. Balogun first failed to take advantage of a great opportunity after a subtle pass from Golovin and earned a penalty in the 85th minute. Only thanks to the replay did referee Lindhut realise that the striker had fooled him: it was a classic dive.
Monaco beat Barça almost five times (18:4, 8:1 in goal) and made the most of their chance due to the opponent’s red card. Golovin’s statistics in the first half of the match with the Catalans: 41 touches of the ball, zero shots, 88% of accurate passes, three passes under attack and one self-inflicted foul. Alejandro made a significant contribution to the sensational victory of the Monegasques.
