Barcelona may have had a flying start to their La Liga campaign, but an exciting AS Monaco side stopped them in their tracks in the opening UEFA Champions League night for both sides.
Eric Garcia's early dismissal was further compounded by Maghnes Akliouche's strike just minutes later, though despite the hosts' ascendancy young superstar Lamine Yamal drove Barcelona level.
The Catalan side came out more assured for the second and looked the likelier to score, but George Ilenikhena's powerful effort proved decisive to give the French side an impressive three points.
Let's look at how both sets of players performed after an intense affair at the Stade Louis II.
Phillip Kohn - 6
Had little to do and could do absolutely nothing to stop Yamal’s fierce drive.
Vanderson - 7
Confident display, defensively sound and popped up frequently in forward areas to provide another option.
Thilo Kehrer - 6
Relatively comfortable evening for the former PSG man and did well alongside Mohammed Salisu to contain Robert Lewandowski.
Mohammed Salisu - 6
Provided a solid base alongside Thilo Kehrer for the hosts, whilst keeping things simple in possession.
Wilfried Singo - 7
A composed performance at full back, and was able to keep an in-form Raphinha quiet.
Denis Zakaria (c) - 6
An assured display at the heart of Monaco’s midfield. Kept things ticking along and snuffed out any type of threat Pedri was able to offer.
Lamine Camara - 5
Struggled in the first half to take control of things, and was replaced at half time by Aleksandr Golovin.
Maghnes Akliouche – 8
Took the opener with supreme confidence, rifling his first ever Champions League goal past a wrong-footed Marc-Andre Ter Stegen after drifting inside the box.
Takumi Minamino - 5
The former Liverpool midfielder found it difficult to leave an imprint on the game.
Eliesse Ben Seghir - 7
A lively performance by the winger gave Jules Kounde something to keep an eye on early, and alongside Akliouche stretched a rocky Barcelona back line on occasion.
Breel Embolo - 6
The Swiss forward struggled to find success in front of goal, though was a nuisance for Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez to deal with throughout.
Christian Mawissa - n/a
Caio Henrique - 5
Found it tough to make any impact off the bench.
Made a real impact off the bench.
Neat and tidy when he needed to be, and provided quality in the final third, particularly in the second period.
Folarin Bolagun - 6
Showed his quality in possession, good composure and forward play. Forced a strong hand out of Ter Stegen after a smooth touch.
Found it tough initially to get involved after coming on but made the desired impact by thrashing the hosts in front.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen - 5
Typically so assured with his feet, the skipper put his side in trouble on many occasions throughout including early on when his wayward pass cost Garcia when the midfielder was sent off from his following challenge.
The German perhaps should have done better with Monaco’s second when Ilenikhena’s effort was lashed straight at the keeper.
Jules Kounde - 6
Defensively solid and gave a dangerous Eliesse Ben Seghir very little joy down his side.
Pau Cubarsi - 6
The better of the two central defenders for the Catalan side, generally solid and made few errors throughout before being replaced by Sergi Dominguez late on.
Inigo Martinez - 5
Played Ilenikhena onside that allowed the striker to restore Monaco’s advantage with less than 20 minutes to go.
Alejandro Balde - 6
Showcased his talent on a few occasions in forward areas and held his ground against a tricky opponent in Akliouche.
He did however allow the wide man inside far too easily for the opener.
Eric Garcia – 3
Ter Stegen’s short pass put him under unnecessary pressure, with the midfielder’s resulting challenge after losing it saw him given his marching orders after just ten minutes.
Marc Casado - 6
Clearly impacted by Garcia’s absence in midfield, young Marc Casado was left isolated when looking to defend transitions and large gaps, especially in the first half.
Casado was much improved in the second and found a footing in midfield.
Lamine Yamal – 8
A deadly touch to go along with his star potential, the starlet proved his worth once again on the world’s biggest stage at club level, producing a superb strike to drag ten-man Barcelona level.
Aside the goal Yamal was the visitors’ greatest threat and stretched Monaco with his pace.
Pedri - 5
Struggled alongside Casado following Garcia’s dismissal to control affairs in the middle of the pitch, with Monaco’s extra body leaving huge spaces in midfield.
Raphinha - 6
Found it tough to get involved throughout with much of Barcelona’s dangerous play going through Yamal on the right.
The veteran striker was found isolated frequently at the top end of the pitch, receiving little service in forward areas.
The Pole did do well however on occasion to hold the ball up and relieve pressure particularly after his side went behind.
Sergi Dominguez - 6
Slotted in alongside Martinez in central defense for the final ten minutes, keeping it simple.
Gerard Martin - 6
Found difficulty getting involved, with Monaco’s winning goal taking the sting out of Barcelona’s attacking play.
Pablo Torre - 5
Came on late and similarly to Pedri found it tough to find space in forward areas.
Ferran Torres - 5
The former Manchester City forward like his fellow substitutes was unable to get in dangerous positions to claw Barcelona level.
Ansu Fati - n/a
