Wagner’s Struggles Continue as Bayern Munich Ends Barcelona’s 10-Game Winning Streak in EuroLeague

Munich, Germany — March 20, 2024 — FC Barcelona’s hopes of extending their EuroLeague dominance took a major hit Sunday night as Bayern Munich ended the Catalan club’s 10-game winning streak with an 84-79 victory. The loss marked the first defeat for Barcelona under coach Xavier Pascual in the EuroLeague this season, and it came despite the presence of NBA star Daniel Wagner, who failed to deliver a winning performance.

Why This Loss Stings for Barcelona

Barcelona entered the game as the EuroLeague’s top team, boasting a 26-2 record and a commanding lead in the standings. The loss to Bayern—currently sixth in the league—sent shockwaves through the team’s locker room and raised questions about Barcelona’s consistency in high-pressure moments.

According to EuroLeague official records, Barcelona had not lost back-to-back games since December 2023, when they dropped two straight to ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne. The Munich defeat marked only the second time this season they’ve lost to a team ranked outside the top four.

Coach Xavier Pascual, who took over midseason after the departure of Roger Grimau, faced immediate scrutiny. “We knew Bayern would be tough, but we didn’t execute well enough,” Pascual said in postgame remarks, as reported by MARCA. “We’ll analyze the game and come back stronger.”

Wagner’s Underwhelming Performance

NBA forward Daniel Wagner, acquired by Barcelona in a blockbuster trade last summer, was expected to provide a spark in Europe’s top club competition. However, in his first game since returning from a two-week injury, Wagner struggled, finishing with 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting and just 2 rebounds in 28 minutes.

Wagner’s shooting woes extended beyond Sunday’s game. According to Basketball-Reference tracking, he’s shooting just 38.5% from the field in EuroLeague play this season—well below his NBA career average of 44.2%. His inability to find his rhythm has led some analysts to question whether he’ll live up to Barcelona’s expectations.

“Wagner is a high-upside player, but he’s not been consistent,” said EuroBasket analyst Javier Miquel. “If he doesn’t improve his shot selection and efficiency, Barcelona might need to adjust their rotation around him.”

Bayern’s Resurgence: How Munich Pulled Off the Upset

Bayern Munich, led by head coach Tamar Slay, capitalized on Barcelona’s defensive lapses and poor free-throw shooting (24% for the night). The Germans outrebounded Barcelona 42-38 and forced 18 turnovers, a key factor in their victory.

Dominik Oels, Bayern’s German guard, was the team’s leading scorer with 20 points and 6 assists. “We played aggressive defense and took our chances when we got them,” Oels said in a postgame interview with Bayern’s official website. “Barcelona had some big moments, but we didn’t let them snowball.”

Key Stats:

Source: EuroLeague official box score

What This Means for Barcelona’s Playoff Push

Barcelona remains in first place in the EuroLeague standings, but the loss to Bayern drops them to 26-3. The team now faces a critical stretch of games, including a home matchup against Real Madrid on March 24—a rivalry that could decide the Spanish duo’s playoff seeding.

According to the EuroLeague’s playoff format, the top eight teams advance. Barcelona’s current three-game losing streak (including a defeat to Crvena Zvezda last week) has fans questioning whether they can maintain their dominance. “They’re still the class of the league, but this loss shows they’re not invincible,” said ESPN EuroLeague analyst Adrian Wojnarowski.

If Barcelona can’t regain their form, they risk seeing Real Madrid or Olympiacos close the gap. The next three games will be decisive:

• March 24: @ Real Madrid (Spain, 8:00 PM CET / 2:00 PM ET)
• March 27: vs. Crvena Zvezda (Barcelona, 8:00 PM CET / 2:00 PM ET)
• March 30: vs. Bayern Munich (Barcelona, 8:00 PM CET / 2:00 PM ET)

How Wagner’s Struggles Compare to Past EuroLeague Stars

Wagner’s inconsistent play echoes challenges faced by other NBA stars in Europe’s top league. For example:

• DeMar DeRozan (2019-2020, ASVEL): Struggled with efficiency (36.8% FG) before being traded midseason.
• Mike James (2018-2019, Real Madrid): Shot just 34.5% from the field before returning to the NBA.
• C.J. Miles (2022-2023, Barcelona): Improved his shooting percentage but faced criticism for defensive lapses.

Unlike those players, Wagner has the advantage of playing for a team with deep roster talent. However, his inability to contribute in key moments could force Barcelona to reconsider their lineup strategy.

What’s Next for Barcelona and Wagner

Barcelona’s next challenge comes against Real Madrid, a team that has already defeated them twice this season. If they lose again, they’ll risk falling out of the top four—a position that guarantees home-court advantage in the playoffs.

For Wagner, the pressure is mounting. He has just two more EuroLeague games before Barcelona’s potential playoff run begins. If he doesn’t improve his shooting and scoring, coach Pascual may need to find more minutes for younger players like Pol Zabo or Oriol Paulí.

Upcoming Schedule Highlights:

• March 24 (Sun): Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (Wanda Metropolitano, 8:00 PM CET / 2:00 PM ET)
• March 27 (Wed): Barcelona vs. Crvena Zvezda (Palau Blaugrana, 8:00 PM CET / 2:00 PM ET)
• March 30 (Sat): Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich (Palau Blaugrana, 8:00 PM CET / 2:00 PM ET)