In a day of poor defense, Barcelona lost to AS Monaco 0-3 in the Joan Gamper Cup match at home at Olimpic Lluis Companys in the early morning of August 13.

Concerns over injuries after returning from internationals meant that coach Hansi Flick was unable to field his strongest squad. Outstanding players such as Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong were all left on the bench by the German strategist due to fitness issues.

Barcelona ended their 11-year unbeaten run at the Joan Gamper Cup. (Photo: Getty)

However, Barca still entered the game with confidence and had clear chances right in the first minutes of the match. Pau Victor regretfully sent the ball over the bar after a favorable cross from Raphinha eliminated Monaco’s entire defense.

In the 37th minute, Raphinha broke free and shot delicately through goalkeeper Philipp Kohn’s net, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside. The two teams ended the first half with a 0-0 draw.

In the second half , Monaco players rushed forward to put pressure on Barcelona’s defense. Young midfielder Marc Bernal immediately lost the ball in front of the goal and Camara quickly punished Barca’s defense with the opening goal in the 50th minute of the match.

Less than 7 minutes later, Barcelona continued to receive cold water when Breel Embolo escaped, dribbled freely and finished to raise the score to 2-0 for Monaco players in the 57th minute.

Trailing by two goals, coach Flick quickly sent young talent Lamine Yamal onto the field to find an equalizer. In the 71st minute, Yamal had a favorable pass to Pau Víctor but this player sent the ball just wide of the goal.

Lamine Yamal was absent in an ineffective performance by Barca’s attack. (Photo: Getty)

In the 86th minute, substitute Christian Mawissa dashed all hopes of coach Hansi Flick and his team with a neat curling shot to raise the score to 3-0 for Monaco players. Winning convincingly, Monaco ended Barcelona’s 11-year unbeaten streak at the Joan Gamper Cup.

Barcelona have not been beaten in the Joan Gamper Cup since losing to Sampdoria in 2012. They beat Santos 8-0 last year, following victories over Juventus, Arsenal and Tottenham during their 11-year winning streak.

It was the first time the Catalans had lost by three or more goals without scoring in the Joan Gamper Cup since 1981, when they were beaten 4-0 by Koln.