Is it Real Madrid’s celebration before the interval, a cover of Cristiano Ronaldo’s “Siuuu” performed on the central circle of the Barça floor, trampling on its logo? Or an excess of confidence from the White House born from a euphoric and imperial start to the season (only one defeat in all competitions)?
During a hot clasico, the Catalans reversed the course of the game – they were trailing 22-30 after 12 minutes, punished by the skill of Dzanan Musa (13 points in the first seven minutes, 19 points, 5 /8 to 3 points in the end) and Sergio Llull (9 points) -, and rewrote the scenario to achieve a prestigious victory (83-78). While they remained on three losses in four matches in the Euroleague, the last on the floor of Monaco (71-91), while their coach Roger Grimau was challenged from all sides, the Barcelona people offered a magnificent reaction of pride and tightness rows.
Behind an iron defense, a resilient collective and the big matches of Nikola Kalinic (13 points) and especially Jan Vesely, author of his best performance since his arrival last season at Barça (27 points, 12/18 shooting), they inflicted only their second defeat of the season on Real Madrid. Vesely notably paid the scalp of Real’s French pivot Vincent Poirier with devastating dunks.
The debates were held until the start of money time. Then, as tempers heated up after Sergio Rodriguez provoked an altercation with Nicolas Laprovittola, the match swung in favor of the locals, pushed by seven points in a row from their Czech pivot and a 3-point shot from Kalinic for a 10 -0 putting them definitively in orbit (72-62, 34th). More combative, aggressive, they sought their success by battling under the circles (39 rebounds to 32, 14 offensive holds).
Yabusele did not play again
A final close (75-80, 38th) did not prevent Nicolas Laprovittola (14 points, 3/8 from 3 points, 8 assists, 5 caused fouls), poorly defended on a pick and roll and left alone, from carrying the blow grace on a 3-point arrow (83-75, 38th).
On the Madrid side, besides Musa, only Mario Hezonja did well (16 points). Fabien Causeur was satisfied with 2 small points. Guerschon Yabusele, close to a return after his knee injury several months ago, on the match sheet, was ultimately not called by his coach Chus Mateo on the floor, while in the racket, everything was done Barcelona side to limit the impact of Walter Tavares (6 points, 1/3, 7 rebounds). Vincent Poirier, who we would have liked to see again at the end of the game, was held to 6 points and 4 rebounds in 15 minutes. Despite its defeat, Real remains well ahead of the Euroleague (16-2), Barcelona, third (12-6).
Excellent shoemaker with Bologna
In the other matches of the evening, Virtus Bologna confirmed its status as the surprise team of the season by preserving its second place on the podium thanks to a locked last quarter (20-14) against Bayern Munich (85-83) . Winner of six of its last seven matches and now nine matches in a row at home, the Italian team relied on Tornike Shengelia (18 points, 5 rebounds), Daniel Hackett (15 points, 5 assists) and a very impactful Isaïa Cordinier (11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists).
Miller-McIntyre au buzzer
Vitoria achieved an unexpected success over Panathinaikos (75-73) after being led most of the time (26-38 at the break), thanks to a great performance from Chima Moneke (20 points, 13 rebounds, 6 fouls caused ), and a decisive shot, six tenths from the buzzer, from Codi Miller-McIntyre (10 points).
Finally, Valencia inflicted on Efes Istanbul, decimated by injuries, a fifth defeat in a row (93-88, 15 points for Chris Jones and Brandon Davies, 14 for Damien Inglis and Semi Ojeleye), which slides the double winner of the Euroleague (2021, 2022) in a worrying 13th place (7-11). Shane Larkin scored 20 points and Rodrigue Beaubois 8, with 7 assists on the Turkish side.
Panathinaikos, Valencia and Vitoria are part of a group of seven teams who all share, – also with Monaco – tied 5th place with an identical record of 10 wins for 8 defeats, in a Euroleague which has never seemed so dense.
2024-01-03 23:05:36
#Barcelona #wins #Clasico #inflicts #defeat #Real #Madrid
