Barcelona enters the seventh round of the Liga Endesa with renewed confidence, fueled by two recent victories in the EuroLeague. The highly anticipated matchup against Baskonia is set for this evening at 19:00 local time at the Palau Blaugrana. Point guard Juani Marcos expressed the team’s positive outlook following their EuroLeague successes but emphasized the need for continued focus and urgency in the league.
Preparations for the Match
Marcos stated, “The team is happy after achieving two wins this week, but we cannot afford to relax.” He highlighted the importance of winning to maintain a competitive position in the standings for the Copa del Rey.
Coaching Transition
This match will be significant as it marks the final game for interim coach Óscar Orellana, who has guided the team to two consecutive wins. Starting Monday, Xavi Pascual will take over the coaching duties. Orellana’s leadership has restored essential qualities like character and effort, crucial after a previous defeat to Bàsquet Girona.
Recent Performance
- Victory over Bayern (74-75)
- Strong performance against Virtus Bologna (88-81), with a decisive 27-14 run in the final quarter
Barcelona faces a Baskonia team currently sitting tenth in the Liga Endesa with a record of 3-3, just one victory ahead of Barcelona’s 2-4. Baskonia arrives with three consecutive losses and must address their defensive shortcomings to compete effectively at Palau.
Baskonia’s Challenges
Baskonia will miss the contributions of pivot Luka Samanic, who averaged 19.0 points per game. Additionally, the inconsistency of Marcus Howard and the absence of Trent Forrest, who is sidelined for his twelfth game, demonstrate the team’s instability.
Historical Matchup
Recent history favors Baskonia, who have won four of the last five encounters, including one last season at Barcelona (89-93). The upcoming clash requires Barcelona to assert their home advantage and seek a victory in front of their fans.
Key to Victory
Marcos acknowledged the talent within Baskonia’s roster, particularly their dynamic style and physical gameplay. He stressed the need for intense effort to secure the win tonight. Additionally, he expressed gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support during challenging times, stating, “The fans are a crucial part of our team, and reconnection with them has been meaningful.”
