It was a night that Mohammed Salisu would never forget. The Ghanaian defender, making his Champions League debut for AS Monaco, was thrust into the spotlight against one of the most formidable teams in European football—Barcelona. The pressure was immense, but Salisu rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion.
From the first whistle, the atmosphere at Stade Louis II was electric, with the Monaco faithful roaring their team on. Facing Barcelona dangerous attack, Salisu remained calm and composed. He dominated the backline, and with every challenge, he stamped his authority on the game.
Salisu was everywhere, leading his team with the most touches on the ball (70), constantly looking to build from the back. His passing range was impressive, completing a game-high 8 long passes, switching play and alleviating pressure in critical moments. Barcelona’s forwards found it difficult to break through as Salisu’s presence felt like an impenetrable wall.
The Ghanaian’s defensive stats told the story of his dominance: he won the most duels in the match (7), showing his strength in one-on-one situations, while also making crucial clearances (4) and interceptions (2) to snuff out Barcelona’s advances. Whenever danger loomed, Salisu was there to calmly clear the lines and restore order.
With each defensive action, the Monaco crowd grew louder, sensing that something special was unfolding. At the 71st minute barely 20mins before final whistle blew, Monaco secured a hard-fought victory, sending shockwaves through Europe.
After the match, Salisu took to social media to reflect on the night. His tweet read:
“An unforgettable Champions League debut in front of our incredible fans!! The atmosphere was electric, driving us on to secure the win. Let’s carry this momentum into the weekend.”
The debut was a statement. Mohammed Salisu had arrived on the biggest stage in club football, and the world was now watching. Monaco’s victory over Barcelona would be remembered for many things, but most of all, it would be remembered as the night when Salisu made his mark in the Champions League.