Flick´s Barca stumble against Monaco in final friendly

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona suffered a tough 3-0 loss to Monaco in a final friendly match before La Liga begins this week.

This was Flick’s first home game since becoming the coach in May. Despite good results on their US tour, including a win over Real Madrid, Barcelona struggled at the Olympic Stadium.

Monaco scored first in the second half of Barcelona’s traditional Joan Gamper Trophy match, with Lamine Camara finding the net. Breel Embolo quickly added a second goal.

Ilkay Gundogan had to leave the game after taking a hit to the head. Flick then brought on Spain’s Euro 2024 star, Lamine Yamal, to try and energize a sluggish Barcelona. Although the 17-year-old showed some promise, the fans ended up booing as Christian Mawissa scored Monaco’s third goal late in the match.

Barcelona, who are looking to reclaim the Spanish title from Real Madrid, will start their La Liga season on Saturday with a challenging away game against Valencia.

Real Madrid, led by Carlo Ancelotti and boosted by the signing of French superstar Kylian Mbappe, will begin their domestic season on Sunday against Real Mallorca.