The UEFA Champions League continued on Thursday night with Arsenal and Barcelona all in action away from home.
Monaco produced one of the shocks from the Champions League’s opening match week with Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat. The visitors suffered an early blow as Eric García was sent off just 10 minutes in for bringing down Takumi Minamino on the edge of the box.
Maghnes Akliouche punished the Blaugrana’s disadvantage with a sublime solo effort, leaving Marc-André ter Stegen rooted to the spot. Hansi Flick’s side restored parity when Lamine Yamal cut inside and unleased a low drive to pull his side level with a first-ever Champions League goal.
But Les Monégasques retook their lead late in the second half through substitute George Ilenikhena’s strike which proved too hot for Ter Stegen to handle.
In another match of the night, Arsenal had to settle for an opening point after playing out a 0-0 draw with Europa League holders Atalanta.
Both teams cancelled each other out in the opening 45 minutes with the Gunners restricted to a handful of half-chances. La Dea piled on the pressure after the interval and won a penalty after Éderson was clipped by Thomas Partey in the area.
But David Raya’s sharp reflexes kept his side level by denying Mateo Retegui from the spot with an incredible double save. At the other end, Gabriel Martinelli spurned a golden opportunity to break the deadlock after racing clear but hooked his effort over.
