Barcelona, Jan 3 (EFE).- Barça, launched after seven consecutive victories in the Endesa League, will visit the leader, Real Madrid, this Sunday (12:30 p.m.), with the aim of breaking a streak of nine consecutive defeats against its eternal rival.
Since the return of Xavi Pascual to the bench, the Barça team remains undefeated in the domestic competition, a consistency that has allowed them to climb to fourth place (9-4) which grants them seed status in the Copa del Rey draw.
From the defense, the main hallmark of the new direction, the Catalan team controls the games. The last one against Casademont Zaragoza (100-80), which took a 27-11 lead in the second quarter after raising its defensive bar and then knew how to manage, was no exception.
The match against the skilled team allowed the Catalan coach to manage efforts and give rest to key players such as Kevin Punter, who played 16 minutes, and Tomas Satoransky, facing the demanding January slope.
That rotation involved new players: center Youssoupha Fall shot up to 11 points and 9 rebounds, signing 20 rating credits, while power forward Miles Norris, constantly growing, was the top scorer with 15 points. In addition, Tornike Shengelia returned seven games after overcoming pubic discomfort.
The return of the power forward is a relief in the middle of a marathon of games and helps to lighten the load of an infirmary still with Will Clyburn and Juan Nuñez, long-term absent, in addition to the doubt until the last moment of Jan Vesely, absent against Zaragoza due to a flu condition.
The recovery of the Georgian is key. Shengelia provides muscle in defense and becomes a reliable offensive generator, with 12.8 points on average in ACB. His incorporation, along with guards Kevin Punter (12.9) and Darío Brizuela (7.4), reinforces Barça in trying to change a recent history that weighs heavily.
The Blaugrana team has not beaten Real Madrid in any competition since April 7, 2024, when they won 85-79 with Nico Laprovittola as the top scorer (25 points). More than 600 days without defeating the eternal rival reflects the superiority of the Madrid project in recent seasons.
The challenge is huge: the white team leads the Endesa League with a record of twelve wins and one loss. The combination of their signings – point guard Theo Maledon (10.1) and former NBA power forward Trey Lyles (12.4) – with the success of forward Mario Hezonja (15) and the size of center Edy Tavares (8.4) makes them a very complete team.
It will also be a tactical battle between two contrasting coaches, Sergio Scariolo and Xavi Pascual, who faces his first classic since his return. External success, defensive intensity and speed in transitions will be decisive in stopping a Real Madrid that has a string of eleven league victories.
(c) EFE Agency
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