Barcelona's perfect start to the season is marred by early red card in the Champions League

MONACO – Barcelona's perfect start to the season suffered its first stumbling block when defender Eric Garcia was sent off after just 11 minutes in the revamped Champions League in Monaco on Thursday.

Garcia pulled back Takumi Minamino when the Japanese striker intercepted a panicked pass from Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.

Barca won their first five league games in the Spanish league under new coach Hansi Flick, but Monaco took the lead in their 16th game through midfielder Maghnes Akliouche.

Akliouche, who represented France at the Olympic Games in Paris, scored from the right side of the penalty area in front of national coach Didier Deschamps.

Deschamps was not the only well-known face in the crowd at the Stade Louis II. Basketball legend Michael Jordan was also there.

Jordan watched as teenage superstar Lamine Yamal equalised for Barca in the 28th minute with a beautiful left-footed shot from the edge of the box.