It has been six years since AS Monaco were in the Champions League, and seven years since they won a match in a competition. That run came to an end against Barcelona in what was a euphoric night at the Stade Louis II.
“I’ll have goosebumps when the [Champions League] anthem rings out,” said manager Adi Hütter pre-match. Whilst there was certainly an element of awe as Champions League football returned to a sold-out Stade Louis II, Monaco’s players quickly applied themselves to the task at hand.
In front of a star-studded crowd, which included the likes of Michael Jordan, Didier Deschamps and Prince Albert II, Les Monégasques had what can only be described as the perfect start. The same intensity that has guided the Principality club to third in Ligue 1 was on display and provoked the first key moment of the match.
Akliouche overcomes ‘goosebumps’ to give Monaco perfect start
Takumi Minamino picked Eric García’s pocket on the edge of the box. The Spaniard, almost instinctively, hauled the Japan international to the ground, leaving the referee without any choice but to brandish a red card. Monaco’s evening would get better just minutes later as Maghnes Akliouche, on his Champions League debut, cut inside and finished past a stranded Marc-André Ter Stegen.
Like Akliouche, he also admitted to having “goosebumps” during the anthem, but like his manager and the rest of his teammates, he put his emotions aside to get the job done. “I think I did what I had to this evening,” said the France U21 international.
However, nervousness kicked in. Monaco, until then, had been the underdogs; it was a tag that suited them. But they were now the favourites. The intensity dropped and Barcelona equalised.
Hütter was so concerned about Lamine Yamal running the show that he started Vanderson, a right-back, over on the left. But the Monaco full-back, in an unfamiliar position, couldn’t prevent Yamal from getting on the scoresheet. The 17-year-old, who lit up the Euros with Spain equalised with a near-identical finish to Akliouche’s just moments earlier.
Monaco had possession, were well set, but failed to create anything other than half-chances. Barcelona, who have won all five of their games in La Liga, scoring 17 goals in the process, looked dangerous on the break. “It sometimes isn’t an advantage when you have an extra player,” said Hütter. For a long time, it showed.
But with the game drifting, the Austrian manager made a game-changing intervention. Off came the ineffective Breel Embolo, and on came George Ilenikhena. Folarin Balogun then made his entrance moments later. The duo wreaked havoc and it was the former who got the winner.
Vanderson, who struggled defensively at times, picked out Ilenikhena’s well-timed run with a sublime cross-field path. The summer signing, baring down on goal then beat ter Stegen to restore Les Monégasques’ lead.
‘Winning against Barça, one of the biggest clubs in the world, makes us proud’ – Hütter
In the lead, looking for their first Champions League in 15 attempts, therewas certainly nervousness; Hütter himself admitted that there were “some situations” where that was the case, but he emphasised his side’s bravery, both pre and post-match, and that above all was on show as they held out for the three points.
“I am really proud and really happy. I am happy for the club and the fans. I think we deserved to win this match for sure tonight. Winning against Barça, one of the biggest clubs in the world, makes us proud and gives us confidence,” reacted Hütter.
“Tonight is for celebrating,” he added. It is a victory that will go down as one of Monaco’s greatest in recent history and it will be savoured. But this “brave” and youthful team looks more than capable of producing more magic moments over the course of this Champions League campaign.
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Photo credit: AS Monaco