His AS Monaco beat the Catalans 2-1 (1-1) on Thursday after being in the majority for 80 minutes. RB Leipzig lost 1-2 (1-1) to Atletico Madrid, while Arsenal drew 0-0 with Atlanta Bergamo.
The first CL match in six years began almost ideally for Monaco in front of basketball icon Michael Jordan. A catastrophic pass from Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen put Eric Garcia in trouble. Takumi Minamino won the ball, Garcia was shown the red card for a foul on the ex-Salzburg player (11th minute). Maghnes Akliouche put Hütter’s team in the lead with a beautiful individual effort (16th minute), but Barcelona hit back through young star Lamine Yamal (28th minute). The 17-year-old broke through on the right, moved inside and scored his first CL goal from the edge of the penalty area.
Barcelona faltered – and was punished after the break for a poorly defended long ball. Substitute George Ilenikhena, also only 18 years old, escaped the back line and shot unstoppably for ter Stegen (78′). Barcelona had previously won all five of their previous competitive matches of the season under new coach Hansi Flick. In the preparation, however, the star ensemble had lost 3-0 at home to Monaco.
Leipzig lost to Atletico
Leipzig played in Madrid without an ÖFB legionnaire in the starting lineup. Christoph Baumgartner and Nicolas Seiwald were substituted at half-time and in the 60th minute respectively, Xaver Schlager will be out injured for weeks. Their team took the lead early on after a switch situation. Atletico keeper Jan Oblak parried a shot from Lois Openda, and Benjamin Sesko, who had rushed forward with the ball and seven-league boots, headed the rebound home (4th).
Antoine Griezmann equalized with a great volley (28′). The French ex-world champion also did the groundwork for the decisive goal in the finish. His precise cross was headed in by Jose Maria Gimenez. Seiwald did not get into the header duel with the Uruguayan well enough at the far post (90′).
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