Barça does not want to stumble again against ALBA
BARCELONA, 8 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Barça hosts ALBA Berlin this Friday (8:30 p.m.) at the Palau Blaugrana, on matchday 26 of the Regular Phase of the Euroleague, with the double intention of extending its winning streak and avoiding a second consecutive setback against the Germans, one of the worst teams in the competition but that knocked down the 'culers' in Berlin.
The waters are calm in Barcelona after two victories in the Euroleague, despite the recent defeat in the Endesa League against Valencia Basket at home, and with the hope of the possible return, soon, of Ricky Rubio to the courts and dressed in Blaugrana. But ALBA Berlin is capable of stirring those waters even though the numbers and the classification may suggest otherwise.
In the first round, an ALBA Berlin that was already bad was able to beat Barça 74-70, led by the Germans by Johannes Thiemann who returned to the team after injury and by Gabriele Procida who had one of his best games so far. that goes for competition. The score of 18-11 in the third quarter allowed ALBA to come back and Barça was unable to prevail at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, with just a 25 percent success rate in three-pointers.
But, after losing in the first leg, the Blaugrana coach, Roger Grimau, asked his players to have a “warning point” against the Germans. On the other hand, he asked for calm with Ricky Rubio, registered but not yet ready to play. “The only difference between the first day and today is that due to logistical and legal issues he had to register, but we continue in the same process. He is training, I see him happy and happy, but he has not yet decided. We have to continue with this patience,” commented the coach.
The victories against Virtus Bologna (84-57) at the Palau Blaugrana and the away victory against Red Star Belgrade (76-85) gave that calm to Barça, who again at home do not want any more surprises against an ALBA Berlin that It is penultimate, with just 5 victories, and has just lost at home against Valencia Basket (66-81).
Grimau will be able to count on Álex Abrines and Michael Caicedo for this duel if he sees it necessary, both already medically discharged and with group training on their legs. Of course, Caicedo is coming off a long-term injury and could need more time before returning to the courts.
On the German side, the Spanish coach Israel González recovers Johannes Thiemann but will still not be able to count on Louis Olinde, due to illness, nor with Ziga Samar who has not played since matchday 10 due to tendonitis in his foot.
DATASHEET.
–EQUIPMENT.
BARÇA: Satoransky, Laprovittola, Kalinic, Parker and Vesely –possible starting quintet–; Da Silva, Abrines, Brizuela, Hernangómez, Nnaji, Jokubaitis and Parra.
DAWN BERLIN: Hermannsson, Thomas, Brown, Wetzell and Schneider –possible starting quintet–; Procida, Spagnolo, Thiemann, Delow, Mattisseck, Koumadje and Bean.
–REFEREES: Jovcic, Foufis and Rossi.
–PAVILLION: Palau Blaugrana.
–TIME: 20.30/Movistar+.