Monaco’s teenage-packed side fell 2-0 in an honourable loss at Atlético Madrid that ensured the Principality club will finish bottom of their section.
UEFA Champions League Group A
Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid
Atlético Madrid 2-0 AS Monaco 
THE MATCH
Monaco have failed to win any of their last 13 Champions League matches, losing 10 of them, and that’s the longest winless run of any French club in the history of the competition. Nevertheless, Thierry Henry had cause to be pleased with his young side as they showed up well against the Europa League holders.
Henry left Radamel Falcao on the bench on the striker’s return to former club Atlético and named four teenagers in the starting eleven, proof that climbing Ligue 1 Conforama is Monaco’s focus and of the injury crisis that means a dozen players are currently sidelined.
Monaco beat Caen in the league thanks to a Falcao goal last Saturday to lift morale but suffered the worst possible start in Spain as Atlético took the lead with only 87 seconds on the clock as Koke’s shot deflected in off the luckless Benoît Badiashile. It was the earliest Monaco had ever conceded in the Champions League.
Monaco could have crumbled after Antoine Griezmann doubled the home lead (24′) with a classy finish and it was testament to the character of the likes of Han-Noah Massengo, 17, that the Principality club not only did not concede any more goals, they also threatened more in the second half.
The visitors improved after Falcao was brought on in the second half and (82′) were awarded a penalty for a Stefan Savic penalty that led to the defender being sent off for a second yellow card. Falcao sent Jan Oblak the wrong way but rolled his effort past the post.
THE PLAYER: Radamel Falcao
Falcao was given a commemorative plaque by Atlético pre-match for his efforts in scoring 52 goals in 68 matches for the club between 2011 and 2013 before moving to the French game. Roared onto the pitch by the entire stadium when he came on, El Tigre could have set up a suspenseful finish to the game by scoring from the spot. The Colombian remains stuck on zero goals in the competition this season.
THE STAT: 17
At 17 years old, Han-Noah Massengo and Benoît Badashile became the first two players born in the 21st century to start a Champions League game.
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