Palau Factor: revalidation for Barça at home with the league at stake

“We hope the Palau of the big occasions and we have to play better.” Despite admitting the superiority of Valencia Basket in the second game, the Barça coach, Xavi Pascualended with this message of hope for the rest of the series, trusting in Blaugrana’s push to take advantage of this opportunity.

The final series for the title resumes this Monday (8:00 p.m.) at the Barcelona coliseum, with a tie of one victory and a clear chance for those of Paschal to finish off the title at home if they win this game and Wednesday’s.

It is a validation for the Palau but also for the team. Fan attendance this year has suffered critical moments but the team has not been up to par with other campaigns either, suffering up to 13 defeats in 40 games in all competitions. The last one, curiously, was suffered by the team against Valencia Basket, on May 31, on the last day of the regular phase.

“I hope that the Palau “Long live one of your great nights and may we win this game,” Tomas said this Sunday. SatoranskyBarcelona base. “We are eager to play, each one trying to help in any facet of the game. I think you can see this motivation, but now we have to show it in the game, not just talk about it.”

After the resounding setback in the second match in Valenciawe will also have to see how the team’s spirit is and what solutions it applies to overcome the problems generated, above all, by the intense and constant defense of a Valencia more physically whole.

“In the end we always say that in the playoff it doesn’t matter if you win by one or by thirty, you have to think about the next game and how you are going to make the adjustments,” he said. Satoranskywho reappeared in the second game after being dropped in the first due to lower back discomfort that has recently affected him.

For the point guard, the ability to adapt and psychological resistance define this type of qualifying at an elite level: “You have to go game by game. Obviously we are happy that we were able to win a game of both of us there in Valenciabut we were preparing before this final for any scenario. Mentally you have to be very strong, compete, never give up and prepare for the next step.”

Another setback for Xavi Pascual’s team is the physical condition of Juani Marcos, who had to retire at the beginning of the second match after suffering a sprained ankle. The Argentine point guard was replaced immediately and, although he returned to the court in the third quarter, he could not play normally.

“He sprained his ankle. He tried in the second half, but he couldn’t,” he explained. Xavi Pascual after the game, adding that “it doesn’t seem serious, but it will be a doubt until the end.”

Valencia seems determined not to reduce its intensity despite the change of court. “The public will be pushing but we have to be faithful to our style: aggressive in defense and imposing our physicality. I hope it goes well for us,” said point guard Álvaro Cardenas in statements provided yesterday by the club before embarking on a trip to Barcelona.