Monaco beaten at home by Barcelona in the Euroleague
There was no fourth consecutive victory for the Roca Team on Wednesday. The Monegasques fell on a bone named Barcelona (63-69). The Spaniards, who were coming out of a home defeat against Asvel, notably managed to muzzle the playmaker of the Rock Mike James, who did not have his usual performance.
However, the start of the match was rather balanced. But the spectators of the Gaston Medecin room quickly understood that this match was not going to be the most prolific. At halftime, Saša Obradovic’s men trailed by five small points (29-34). There was already a flagrant lack of skill, partly offset by a rather effective defense. Lithuanian Donatas Motiejunas even topped the scoring charts with 11 points.
Fatal air hole in the third quarter
But then the Monegasques came through in their third quarter, conceding a stinging 16-26, and allowing the Barcelonians to lay the foundations for a logical victory. Like his James / Okobo duo at 3/16 in shooting at the end of the third quarter, the players of the principality lowered their guard after the break. There was indeed a burst of pride from the locals in the last ten minutes (18-9) but insufficient to hope to overthrow the Barcelonans, in the wake of Nikola Mirotic who hovered over the meeting with his performance (15 points, 9 rebounds).
“Do not fall into the trap of Alba Berlin. »
” We didn’t put any rhythm into the game when our strength is the game in transition. Barcelona controlled us and we must congratulate them “, regretted captain Adrien Moerman (10 points) at the microphone of the broadcaster Skweek. Not defeated, he was already planning on receiving the Alba Berlin in two days: “ We must not fall into the trap, quickly forget this defeat and it is up to us to come back stronger “. The appointment is made.
In the standings, Monaco had the opportunity to make a real difference on their opponents in the evening but conversely it is the Spaniards who make the good deal by recalling on equal points in third position in the Euroleague.