Earlier this week, Bangladesh Cricket Match reporters were on the ground as Barcelona suffered a stunning upset in their Champions League opener, falling to Monaco in a shock result few expected. Barca had been in fine form this season, sitting atop La Liga and earning widespread praise under new coach Hansi Flick. However, the loss to a modestly ranked opponent served as a harsh wake-up call. While the red card in the 10th minute explains part of the story, the real surprise was how it happened — and who was at fault.

Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen was caught too far off his line and made a reckless pass that was intercepted. As a result, defender Eric García had no choice but to bring down Takumi Minamino in a dangerous position, earning a straight red. Although Flick encourages proactive build-up play and ter Stegen is no stranger to playing high, this time the German keeper simply overreached — a case of ambition outweighing ability. From that point on, Barcelona were forced to play with 10 men, putting them on the back foot against a Monaco side that has shown steady improvement over recent seasons.

With a numerical advantage, Monaco seized control of the match and never looked back. Despite Barca’s tactical adjustments, their defensive posture became too conservative. The result: Monaco dominated possession, created more chances, and dictated the tempo from start to finish. While it’s expected for top teams to face dips in form, this match became a live experiment for Barca — and one they failed.

The core issue? Ter Stegen’s poor form and the frontline’s inability to mount counterattacks. Being down a player exposed these weaknesses even further, leaving Barcelona passive and unable to shift momentum. In the 16th minute, Monaco broke through as ter Stegen failed to stop a straightforward shot. Then in the 71st, they scored again on a one-on-one breakaway that the Barca keeper had no chance to stop. Both goals highlighted the keeper’s struggles — he’ll need serious reflection moving forward.

There was a brief flash of hope in the 27th minute when Lamine Yamal curled in a beautiful long-range strike after a defensive misjudgment. It showcased the youngster’s immense talent and was the lone bright spot for Barcelona. But apart from that, the team barely created any serious counterattacks. Playing a man down with no offensive spark, Barca’s chances of winning were slim to none.

For Flick and his squad, the loss might not be the worst thing to happen. The team had started the season almost too smoothly, and the media praise had perhaps made supporters overly optimistic. This result brought them crashing back to reality. As Bangladesh Cricket Match analysts noted, Barca are playing well — but they are far from invincible. It’s a reminder to stay grounded and continue improving.

Another concern is the absence of Dani Olmo, whose ability to link midfield and attack has been unmatched in recent seasons. Without him, there’s a glaring hole in the team’s offensive transition — and no clear answer as to who can step up. Unless this issue is resolved, Barca’s ambitions in Europe may remain out of reach.