Barça have not got the UEFA Youth League off to the best of starts. They lost a seven-goal thriller against Monaco, a cruel blow after things had begin so well with two goals to no reply in the first 36 minutes. Coach Juliano Belleti was treated to a fine opener from Arnau Prades, and then the player who had provided the assist, Hugo Alba, got his own name on the scoresheet from the penalty spot.
Things were shaping up very nicely, but by half-time the sides were back level. Tincres headed in after 41 minutes and a powerful strike from Buabre meant it would be 2-2 when the teams headed to the dressing rooms.
Barça were keen to quickly make amends, and after a number of close calls, substitute Pedro Fernández thundered the ball goalward from the edge of the area.
It looked like Barça were back in business, and further goals seemed likely. They were indeed, but sadly for the wrong team. Monaco refused to lie down and in the final phase started producing their best football of the afternoon. Tincres nabbed his second goal of the day to square things up yet again, and then Carvalho put the home side ahead for the first time.
Frustratingly, a game that Barça looked on good course to win ended without even a consolation point to take back to Catalonia.
MATCH STATS
AS MONACO, 4
FC BARCELONA, 3
Monaco: Stawiecki, Mokabakila, Ninombe, Kiwa, Coudour (Guerchi, min. 75), Cabral, Benama (Dembaga, min. 85)), Bamba (Toure, min. 65), Michal (Carvalho, min. 75), Tincres, Bouabre (Boura, min. 85).
Barça: Yaakobishvili, Xavi Espart (Guillem Victor, min. 46), Kospo, Leo Saca, Walton, Pedro Soma (Tomas Marques, min. 58), Jan Virgili, Quim Junyent (Brian Fariñas, min. 58), Hugo Alba, Juan (Pedro Fernandez, min. 58), Arnau Pradas (Marcos Parriego, min. 72).
Goals: 0-1, Arnau Prades (min. 17); 0-2, Hugo Alba (min. 36); 1-2, Tincres (min. 41); 2-2, Baubre (min. 44), 2-3, Fernandez (min. 57); 3-3, Tincres (min. 65); 4-3, Carvalho (min. 80)
Referee: Bence Csonka. Yellow cards for Bamba (Monaco), Cabral (Monaco), Víctor (Barça) and Walton (Barça)
First appeared on www.fcbarcelona.com