In one of those games where it seems that luck is never on your side, Barça has been defeated by Reus Deportiu Virginias in the first semifinal matchup of the Parlem Ok Liga playoffs (3-5). For their part, Reus, entrusted to a stellar performance by their goalkeeper Marc Zapater, had the effectiveness that Edu Castro’s men lacked to find the goal. However, the tie is still open and this coming Monday the Catalans will try to level the tie with a win in the second game of the series, which will also be played at the Palau Blaugrana.
The match began with an exchange of blows marked by the Barça class and the vigorous visitor, which led to an eminently equal duel. In this balance, the one who gave the first time was the Barcelona team, thanks to a magnificent shot by João Rodrigues (1-0, min. 7). The response from Reus on the Barça target was at the height of Joao’s definition, and two almost consecutive goals from David Gelmà (1-1, min. 7) and Marc Julià from a penalty (1-2, min.9) , have flipped the scoreboard momentarily.
These three early goals have not stopped the emotions in a Palau that has witnessed some vibrant last minutes of the first half. Carrying out a strategy based on longer possessions, Edu Castro’s men managed to subdue the visitors until scoring two goals, one by Sergi Llorca (2-2, min. 12), from long distance, and the other by Helder Nunes, from a penalty (3-2, min. 15).
Despite that culé superiority, the last word in the first half was held by Reus. And it is that the goals of Campagno (3-3, min. 19) and David Gelmà (3-4, min. 25), the latter scored with one missing for the end of the first act, have been joined by a great Intervention by goalkeeper Zapater, saving a penalty from Joao Rodgirues, to culminate some great visiting final minutes that allowed Jordi Garcia’s men to go into the break with a goal advantage.
The Barça does not react
Full of confidence due to the great first half he was showing, the protagonist at the start of the second half was once again goalkeeper Marc Zapater. His great saves, combined with Reus’s goalposts, have rejected all the numerous opportunities that Edu Castro’s men have generated. This has given wings to a Reus that has seen its superiority in the electronic increased with a goal from Marc Julià in the first visitor arrival since the start of the restart (3-5, min. 32).
With this context, in search of reducing distances, the azulgranas have turned against the visiting goal. Monopolizing the game completely, the azulgranas have tried in any way to find the way to find the goal; however, fortune has not been in the face of the Barcelonans who have ended up defeated in the first duel of the Parlem OK Liga semifinals.
Datasheet
Barça, 3: Aitor Egurrola, Pascual, Nunes, Pau Bargalló and Joao Rodrigues – initial five – Sergi Panadero, Nil Roca, Llorca, Joao Rodrigues, Sergi Fernández.
Reus Deportiu Virginias: Martí Zapater, Aragonès, Gelmà, Compagno and Julià – initial five – Ballart, Ferran Giménez, Joan Salvat, Pablo del Rio, Marín.
Goals: 1 – 0, Joao Rodrigues (min. 7); 1 – 1, Gelmà (min. 7); 1 – 2, Julia (min. 9); 2 – 2, Sergi Llorca (min. 12); 3 – 2, Helder Nunes (min. 15); 3 – 3, Campagno (min. 19); 3 – 4, Gelmà (min. 25); 3 – 5, Julia (min. 32).
Referees: Toni Ribó and Raul Burgos. Fouls: 11-9
Incidents: Before the start of the match, coach Edu Castro and Pau Bargalló received, for the second time this season, the Parlem OK Liga awards for best coach of the month of April and best player of the same month, respectively