Barça needed to erase the bad image in Milan as soon as possible and they did it right away. And it was not just any rival who visited the Palau this Wednesday, Virtus tied for second place in the Euroleague with the Blaugrana. But without Shengelia, his most valued player, and against a connected rival full of joy, there was little he could do, with the Barça team reconfirmed as Real Madrid’s main pursuer.
The news of the week, the incorporation of Ricky Rubio to Grimau’s training sessions, went unnoticed, and the Palau focused on encouraging their team, who are more than comfortable whenever they appear in front of their fans. Cordinier threatened to go uphill in the Barça night with nine points almost in a row to open the Italian locker (5-11, minute 5). It took Barça a long time to let go and find the way to their happy and carefree game. But as soon as he did, he regained control of the scoreboard and took control of the duel.
Grimau’s men began to open the gap in the second quarter. Willy Hernangómez floated on the attack, imposing his tremendous physical superiority and scoring points with ease. He tried to resist the Virtus by taking advantage of some offensive rebound but with Belinelli unleashed, shooting from all corners, miraculously touching the rim, it was impossible. Laprovittola’s return to the hardwood further exacerbated the Italian wound. The Argentine celebrated his birthday (34) with two triples in a row that extended the score to 39-27, although it was Vesely almost at the buzzer who raised the score to 41-27 that signaled the break.
This time Barça did not offer signs of disconnection and focused on not giving Virtus any options to return to the game, a mission that Grimau’s players fulfilled with care and vigor. A discreet but always threatening Parker began leading the way. A triple from his home by Laprovittola and a basket by Jokubaitis then stretched it to 52-32 (minute 25). The Blaugrana touched victory with both hands and did not let the Italians get off the canvas with Vesely once again a star, owner and lord of the paint (13 rebounds).
The night brought the curtain down with a triple by Jokubaitis that sealed the superiority of the locals, placing the final score at 84-57. The only color of the night was blue.
84. Barça (20 21 20 23): Satoransky (5), Laprovittola (16), Kalinic (6), Parker (11), Vesely (9) -starting team-, Brizuela (11), Hernangómez (17), Jokubaitis (7), Da Silva (2), Parra (0), Paulí (0) and Nnaji (0).
57. Virtus Segafredo Bolonia (17 10 17 13): Hackett (4), Belinelli (4), Cordinier (12), Mickey (8), Dunston (4) -inicial team-, Lundberg (11), Polonara (6) , Zizic (2), Pajola (0), Dobric (2), Abass (4) and Lomazs (0).
Referees: Ilija Belosevic (SER), Uros Nikolic (SER) and Gentian Cici (ALB). They signaled a technical foul against the local Kalinic (min.36).
Incidents: matchday 24 of the Euroleague played at the Palau Blaugrana in Barcelona before 6,588 spectators.
