Barça got up proudly and with the title of champion from Sunday’s defeat in the Club World Cup final with a superb victory at Aalborg (33-39), who until yesterday were second in Group B. Carlos’ men Ortega consolidate their leadership and certify their great moment of form.
Barça and Aalborg met again for the first time after the 2021 Champions League final in Cologne (with a Blaugrana victory, the greatest victory in history in a final). Since then, the Danes have been reinforced with two old acquaintances, Mikkel Hansen (who left Barça 12 years ago) and Aron Pálmarsson (not renewed by the new managers of the section). First against second, but with a clearly Blaugrana history: nine duels, nine Catalan victories. Although Barça arrived in Aalborg after a defeat on Sunday in the Club World Cup final and a 12-hour trip, with almost no rest and only one training session.
Initially the fatigue was not noticeable too much, since Barça maintained a good speed and defensive intensity, and went 6-8 after 10 minutes guided by its lethal right wing, three goals from Aleix Gómez and 3 from Mem. However, Far from consolidating the game and the result, the Blaugrana team entered into a dangerous situation.
From 6-8 it went, seen and unseen, in five minutes, to 11-8; a partial of 5-0 in five minutes of disconnection and melting of leads. The presence of Mikkel Hansen had a decisive impact, coming in at 7-8 and making his debut with a goal. Barça did not defend well, too soft, and did not finish, and was three down (11-8, at 15 minutes) before Carlos Ortega called time.
The Blaugrana team corrected itself with the instructions of the coach, put more order, Pérez de Vargas continued to stop and in five minutes restored equality (11-11) and came to take the initiative (11-12, 13-14, 16-17 ) thanks to the speed of Mem and Aleix Gómez –superb- and the good form of N’Guessan, who scored three of the 14 goals of the 19 that Barça had at the break (19-19).
Upon returning from the changing rooms, the Blaugrana team reappeared with Emil Nielsen in goal for a Pérez de Vargas who had 8 saves/27 shots (29%). The entrance of the Danish goalkeeper was decisive with his saves (5/8 in 12 minutes) to propitiate Barça’s minimum advantage when reaching the first quarter (27-28). The Blaugrana, with good physical tone, were able to lift a -2 (24-22) with a great partial of 0-3 executed on the run by Petrus (24-25).
It was with the stops by Nielsen, the speed of Aleix Gómez, going on the counterattack, and the lethality of Dika Mem that Barça went back from 2 (27-29, 28-30), which was 5, the maximum lead , in three dizzying actions by Aitor Ariño (29-34).
With Nielsen’s 9th save, a penalty, and Frade’s 29-35, a 6 with 7 minutes to go, Barça sentenced the duel, culminating in a brutal 1-5 run in five minutes. In the decisive moments, the Blaugrana team performed at a high level, at full speed and with intensity, in excellent physical shape, without suffering weariness, and with great effectiveness in shooting.
Fifth win in five games and the strongest lead in Group B of the Champions League. Next station, Nantes at the Palau Blaugrana, on Thursday, November 3 at 8:45 p.m.
Aalborg: Gade, Bjornsen (5), Sandell (8), Claar (3), Mollgaard, Pálmarsson (3), Barthold (2); Nielsen (4), Hansen (3, 1p), Hoxer (3), Antonsen (1), Jakobsen (1), Ludvigsen (ps)
Barça: Pérez de Vargas, Aleix Gómez (11, 5p), Mem (8), Cindric (2), N’Guessan (4), Wanne (2), Fàbregas (2); Petrus (1), Carlsbogard, Richardson, Janc (1), Frade (3), Langaro (1), Ariño (4), Makuc, Nielsen (ps).
Referees: Jurinovic and Mrvica (Croatia). They excluded Nielsen, from Aalborg, and Wanne and Fàbregas from Barça.
Partials: 4-4, 6-7, 10-8, 11-11, 15-15, 19-19 (rest); 23-22, 26-26, 27-28, 29-32, 30-36, 33-39.
Pista: Sparekassen Danmark Arena de Aalborg. 5,000 spectators
