Champions League: Barcelona loses to Monaco as David Raya saves Arsenal in Atalanta stalemate

Arsenal’s David Raya saves the rebound from Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui after saving a penalty in the course of the Champions League match on September 19, 2024
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters

French membership Monaco upset 10-man Barcelona by grinding out a 2-1 victory on Thursday (September 19, 2024) within the Champions League, whereas a shocking David Raya double-save ensured Arsenal a goalless draw away to Europa League winners Atalanta.

Barca have began the season with a excellent report after 5 La Liga matches however, hindered by a pink card within the eleventh minute for Eric Garcia, fell to defeat on the French Riviera.

Maghnes Akliouche fired the French aspect into the lead 5 minutes after Garcia was dismissed for a last-man problem on Takumi Minamino.

Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal equalised within the twenty eighth minute with an arrowed shot after chopping in from the suitable onto his favoured left foot, however George Ilenikhena grabbed the winner for Monaco inside the ultimate 20 minutes.

“After 10 minutes with the pink card the sport modified completely, however what I can see is basically the optimistic factor,” Barcelona coach Hansi Flick informed reporters.

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“We tried to defend as a group and likewise assault as a group, and we had possibilities, however right this moment they deserve the 2-1 (win), so we’ve got to simply accept that.”

Raya’s heroics

In Italy, Arsenal goalkeeper Raya earned his aspect some extent in a troublesome begin to their marketing campaign in opposition to Atalanta with a 0-0 draw.

A good match was lit up six minutes after the interval when Mateo Retegui noticed Raya plunge right down to his proper to maintain out his penalty, after a foul by Thomas Partey on Ederson.

The ball rebounded up within the air and Retegui appeared set to casually nod the dropping ball into the gaping internet however the Spaniard sprang to his ft and hurled himself again throughout the goal-line to claw the ball to security.

“It is only a penalty and I used to be fortunate to go the suitable method and reserve it,” Raya informed TNT Sports activities.

“I used to be unfortunate to provide the rebound straight again to him however I used to be fast sufficient to rise up and reserve it.”

Atletico beats Leipzig

A Ninetieth-minute header by Jose Maria Gimenez despatched Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone scuttling down the touchline in delight as his aspect edged guests RB Leipzig 2-1.

Benjamin Sesko had put the German aspect in entrance simply 4 minutes in, however Antoine Griezmann equalised simply previous to the half-hour with a managed end from contained in the penalty space.

The Frenchman then turned supplier as he chipped a cross into the field, which Gimenez leapt highest to win on the again put up and look the ball again throughout Peter Gulacsi and into the Leipzig objective to spark wild celebrations within the Metropolitano Stadium.

“It is wonderful, to get a last-minute objective like that is at all times improbable and it is good to provide the followers one thing to cheer about,” Atletico’s former Leipzig striker Alexander Sorloth informed DAZN.

‘Environment friendly’ Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz loved a dream Champions League debut because the Bundesliga champions thumped Dutch aspect Feyenoord 4-0 away from house.

The 21-year-old scored a brace both aspect of an Alex Grimaldo strike earlier than an personal objective by Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther ensured Leverkusen had the factors wrapped up by half-time.

“It could have appeared fairly straightforward, but it surely’s actually not,” Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso informed reporters.

“Total it was a really critical, very environment friendly efficiency from us, but it surely’s by no means straightforward.”

French aspect Brest made a profitable begin of their first-ever look in European competitors by seeing off Austria’s Sturm Graz 2-1.

Taking part in at Brittany rivals Guingamp’s house floor as their very own stadium doesn’t meet UEFA requirements, Brest took the lead halfway by way of the primary half by way of Hugo Magnetti.

An own-goal by Edimilson Fernandes on the stroke of half-time levelled issues however Abdallah Sima’s sensible end within the 56th minute was sufficient to divide the perimeters.

Benfica held on in Serbia in opposition to Pink Star Belgrade to assert a 2-1 win courtesy of targets within the first half by Turkish duo Kerem Akturkoglu and Orkun Kokcu.

The second matchday of the Champions League league part will happen on October 1 and a couple of with Arsenal internet hosting Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich travelling to Aston Villa and reigning champions Actual Madrid visiting Lille.