Barcelona Set to Face Monaco in Revamped Champions League Opener

As the UEFA Champions League returns, FC Barcelona prepares to confront AS Monaco in their initial match of the tournament’s newly designed format. The encounter is scheduled to take place at the Stade Louis II in Monaco, with kickoff at 9 PM CEST on Thursday.

This season’s Champions League introduces a fresh league phase, shaking up the traditional structure by replacing the group stage with single meetings between teams in this initial phase. For Barcelona, this match against Monaco offers a sole opportunity to redeem themselves following their previous 3-0 setback in the Joan Gamper Trophy, which marked a rare blemish on coach Hansi Flick’s record with the club.

Despite that earlier defeat, Barcelona enters this game on a strong note after securing convincing victories in five successive official matches. The team has shown vigor and tactical sharpness reminiscent of their former eras under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique, offering fans an exciting brand of football as they aim to reclaim European glory, a decade after their last triumph.

Monaco, under the management of Adi Hütter, boasts a resolute defense, having conceded just once in their four Ligue 1 matches this season. However, Barcelona’s attacking force, energized by new dynamics and strategies developed by Flick, is poised to challenge Monaco effectively. The lineup for Barcelona is expected to include star players like Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Ter Stegen, promising a competitive clash.

Fans across the globe will have diverse broadcasting options to watch this thrilling encounter, with various networks holding the rights in different regions. Although viewers are encouraged to verify local listings due to the potential for changes, the game is anticipated on networks such as CBS, DAZN, and BeIN Sports, among others.

As Barcelona embarks on this new journey in European football, the match against Monaco is not just a quest for initial points but also a test to reaffirm their capacity as a formidable contender on the continental stage.