Hansi Flick’s Barcelona to begin life in Europe at Monaco

After an impressive start to the season under Hansi Flick, the Blaugrana side will look to take their terrific form to Europe when they make a short trip to France to face another in-form side, Monaco. 

The French side finished second in the Ligue 1 last season after a blistering first season under the tutelage of Adi Hütter that saw them return to Europe for the first time since 2018-19 and will be full of confidence after going unbeaten in their first four matches in the Ligue 1 – most recently beating Auxerre. 

Expectedly, this encounter will be a cracker after Barcelona surged up to the La Liga summit, winning all five matches they have played on the home front, scoring seventeen goals in them. 

Although Thursday’s match will be without the services of new midfielder, Dani Olmo, who was confirmed will be out for five weeks after a hamstring injury saw him leave Sunday’s visit at Girona abruptly, it is believed Hansi Flick has all he needs to help put Barca’s ignominious record in France behind them. 

Barcelona has had two meager wins from their last nine visits to France, drawing five and losing the other two. A triumph in France on Thursday will make it 21 triumphs from 29 UEFA Champions League openers for Barca; after scoring exactly five times in the last three seasons, they started their European campaign with a win. 

No doubt, Barca’s magnificent start to the season will surely fill the hearts of the culers making the trip to France with confidence. But beyond that, the match will be a huge step up from the opponents the two sides have been facing domestically, though, putting their unbeaten starts in danger.