Good day everyone, and welcome to my blog. It has been an interesting start to the new format of the Uefa Champions League season which still doesn't sit well with some football fans, but there is nothing we can do now as the new era of the Uefa Champions League kicked off on Tuesday night. We have seen some amazing matches played and also an incredible scoreline that was unexpected, but that is what football brings as your expectations might not just tally with the reality on the pitch.
FC Barcelona kicked off their first UCL match of the season away from home last night against Monaco. So where do I start from now because to be honest, I am disappointed and just don't know what to make up for last night's match because my expectations were high before the match started, I was skeptical about the starting lineup, seeing that Eric Garcia was part of the lineup and positioned in the midfield area, but don't get me wrong, Eric Garcia's ball distribution technique is impressive, and he could fit in the DM role well if he is consistent.
The match kicked off, and Monaco was pressing so high against Barcelona, and that I thought Barcelona would still control this game, not until the 10th minute into the first half when Eric Garcia made a tackle and picked up a red card. I still can't wrap my head around how Ter Stegen made that decision to give Eric Garcia that pass and I still can't wrap my head around why Garcia made that tackle.
At this point, I don't know if to blame Ter Stegen or Eric Garcia for that red card and Ter Stegen still is not helping his case because there was no effort from him to stop that first goal that was scored by Monaco in the first half. The truth has to be said that Ter Stegen has been poor in the Champions League competition as the stats are there to prove my statement. In 85 matches Ter Stegen has played in the Champions League he has conceded 99 goals in total.
The team tried to keep going as Lamine Yamal equalized before the end of the first half. Lamine Yamal has been sensational since the Euros to the start of the new campaign season. Lamine Yamal has had a goal contribution in the seven matches he has played this season. If he is not scoring a goal, he is providing an assist; that young lad has marked his place as one of the best in the world of football.
Lamine Yamal's effort to keep Barcelona level came to an end in the second half as Monaco got the lead again from a super substitution. Barcelona could not get the level till the end of the match and I can't blame them because playing with ten men when your opponent has 11 men on the field is a huge disadvantage. Last night's match was the first defeat in the Hansi Flick new era, and although I feel pained, but there is still a bit of hope because I know the team will bounce back in the remaining seven matches of the league face in the UCL.
La Liga will return this weekend as Barcelona will be traveling to Villareal for matchday five of LALIGA SANTANDER. Villareal are yet to lose a match this season and are fourth on the league table, so it is going to be interesting to see how Barcelona goes into this game and take the three points. Looking forward to the weekend fixtures and I hope you all don't miss out. So, guys, that will be all for now. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day.