Barcelona Stumbles in Monaco, Gavi's Red Card Compounds Loss as Yamal Nets First Goal
Barcelona's pre-season tour took a turn for the worse as they suffered a 1-3 defeat to Monaco at the Stade Louis II on Wednesday. The result was compounded by a red card for Gavi, leaving manager Xavi Hernandez with much to ponder ahead of the upcoming season.
Yamal's Bright Spot:
The game saw the emergence of 16-year-old starlet Lamina Yamal, who came off the bench in the second half to score his first goal for the senior team. His strike, a neat finish from close range, provided a brief moment of hope for the Blaugrana but ultimately proved to be a mere consolation.
Monaco's Dominant Display:
The hosts, on the other hand, looked sharp and confident throughout the match. They were rewarded for their dominance when Wissam Ben Yedder opened the scoring with a beautifully taken penalty in the 19th minute.
Monaco continued to press, and their efforts were rewarded with a second goal from Takumi Minamino in the 33rd minute. Despite a slight improvement from Barcelona in the second half, Monaco remained in control and sealed the victory with a third goal from Axel Disasi in the 80th minute.
Gavi's Dismissal:
A pivotal moment in the game came in the 73rd minute when Gavi was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Axel Disasi. The Spanish midfielder's frustration at the game's unfolding was evident, but his reaction ultimately cost Barcelona and will likely lead to a suspension in their upcoming fixtures.
Xavi's Concerns:
This defeat will surely raise concerns for manager Xavi Hernandez. While the pre-season is all about experimentation and finding rhythm, the lack of defensive solidity and the loss of key players to injury and suspension will need to be addressed before the start of the La Liga season.
Looking Ahead:
Barcelona will be looking to bounce back from this setback when they face another Ligue 1 side, Tottenham Hotspur, in their next pre-season match. The upcoming games will be crucial for Xavi to assess his squad and put together a team capable of challenging for titles in the coming season.
