Barcelona’s pre-season preparations ended on a worrying note after a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to AS Monaco, with young Senegalese midfielder Lamine Camara delivering a standout performance. The loss, which follows a penalty shootout defeat to AC Milan just days earlier, raises concerns for the Blaugrana ahead of the upcoming La Liga season.
Monaco’s victory was spearheaded by Camara, who has quickly made an impact since joining the club from Metz on July 30.
The 19-year-old, capped seven times by Senegal, was instrumental in both breaking up Barcelona’s play and driving Monaco forward in attack.
His energy and tactical awareness were evident throughout the match, as he disrupted Barcelona’s midfield and consistently pushed his team higher up the pitch.
Camara’s efforts culminated in a well-taken goal in the 50th minute, which effectively sealed Barcelona’s fate.
The goal came after Camara pressed high and won the ball back from a wayward Barcelona pass.
Seizing the opportunity, he calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper with a composed finish, demonstrating both his defensive and offensive capabilities.
This performance by Camara is likely to turn heads, especially considering the stature of the opposition.
Monaco’s new recruit has quickly adapted to his new surroundings, showing why the club moved swiftly to secure his services.
His ability to influence the game in both defense and attack makes him a valuable asset for Monaco as they prepare for the new Ligue 1 campaign.
For Barcelona, however, the result is a cause for concern. Despite showing promise in previous pre-season matches, the team struggled to find rhythm and coherence against a well-organized Monaco side.
The back-to-back defeats to Milan and Monaco suggest that Barcelona may need to address several issues before the start of the La Liga season.
Barcelona’s defense, in particular, looked vulnerable against Monaco’s aggressive pressing.
The loss of possession in dangerous areas, such as the one that led to Camara’s goal, was a recurring theme throughout the match.
While pre-season results are not always indicative of what is to come, the manner of this defeat will undoubtedly prompt reflection within the Barcelona camp.
Monaco, on the other hand, will take great confidence from this result as they continue their preparations.
The performance of players like Camara suggests that the club has the potential to challenge strongly in the upcoming season.
With Ligue 1 set to kick off, Monaco’s fans will be optimistic that their team can carry this momentum into the competitive fixtures.
As the dust settles on this pre-season encounter, all eyes will be on how both teams respond.
Barcelona will need to regroup quickly to avoid a slow start to their domestic campaign, while Monaco will look to build on the positives and continue their upward trajectory under the guidance of their coaching staff.
In the end, this match was a tale of contrasting fortunes—Barcelona left with more questions than answers, and Monaco buoyed by the emergence of a new star in Lamine Camara.
La réaction de Lamine Camara suite à son premier but sous les couleurs monégasques 🗣️🇸🇳
50′ | 0⃣-1️⃣ #FCBASM pic.twitter.com/9O9mDZJH5h
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) August 13, 2024
