Barça seeks revenge against Zalgiris

Barça seeks revenge against Zalgiris

BARCELONA, 1 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Barça receives Zalgiris at the Palau Blaugrana this Thursday (7:00 p.m.), on matchday 26 of the Euroleague Regular Phase, with the intention of continuing their winning streak and chasing the lead and, in addition, taking revenge on the first round loss at Zalgirio Arena.

A Barça-Zalgiris game is always historic and special since the arrival of Sarunas Jasikevicius, a former coach of the Lithuanians, on the 'culer' bench. Also, this time, Rokas Jokubaitis will not be the only player to face ex-teammates, as the now 'green' Rolands Smits returns to a Palau that was his home.

In sports, the duel is interesting. First, because of the 73-72 in Kaunas, which is very present. Second, because Barça can extend their winning streak to five in a row. And, third, because Zalgiris is tenth in the table and a victory would allow them to re-engage in the fight for the 'Play-off'.

"Zalgiris plays similar to what he played in the first round. We came out cold, without the necessary physique. We've talked about it and hopefully we'll learn from it. The team should want revenge and hopefully we'll play a good game," said the coach. blaugrana, Sarunas Jasikevicius, in the preview of this duel.

And it is that in the first round Barça lost (73-72) at the Zalgirio Arena on the fourth day of this Euroleague, in a duel in which the blaugranas were in tow and that, despite knowing how to come back, they were unable to close with victory due to lack of success in the last possessions.

It was a game of ups and downs, attitude failures and lack of aggressiveness to face a demanding start. Barça was unable to kill when they had the option and the comeback was short-lived. Now, at the Palau Blaugrana, and with 'Saras' asking for revenge, poor player who doesn't give his all on the court.

But the truth is that Barça, despite the setback in the Copa del Rey in Badalona, ​​is in a good moment. They played a good game against AS Monaco last day (80-70), against a direct rival from the top of the table, thus extending their streak of consecutive game wins to four. Before Zalgiris they seek to put the fifth.

BARÇA: Satoransky, Laprovittola, Abrines, Mirotic and Vesely --possible starting five--; Sanli, Kalinic, Higgins, Tobey, Kuric, Jokubaitis and Nnaji.

ZALGIRIS KAUNAS: Taylor, Brazdeikis, Ulanovas, Smits y Hayes --possible quintet initial--; Giedraitis, Lekavicius, Birutis, Lukosiunas, Polonara, Dimsa y Butkevicius.

--ÁRBITROS: Maple, Panther y Kardum.

--HALL: Palau Blaugrana.