Barcelona – Virtus Segafreddo Bologna
International - Euroleague, Round 24
31-01-2024 20:30 CET
On Wednesday, January 31, at 8:30 PM, Barcelona and Virtus Segafredo Bologna will face off. It's a clash between the two teams tied for second place in the standings, both with 30 points and coming off EuroLeague losses — the Catalans to Olimpia Milano, and the Bolognese to Fenerbahce. The first leg was an incredible game, with Barca leading comfortably until Virtus's "usual" final quarter comeback at home turned the game around. This wasn't a one-off, as the black and whites have won similarly in other instances. Luca Banchi's team won't be at full strength; Dobric is out, still recovering from a bad ankle sprain, and key player Toko Shengelia is likely to rest too. However, Marco Belinelli, who missed the Istanbul game due to becoming a father the day before, will certainly play. The plan seems to reintroduce the Georgian player in the home game against Partizan Belgrade, but his back is still a concern, and the team wants him at his best for the crucial stage of the season, including the Coppa Italia on February 14.
For Wednesday's match, I believe the key battle will be under the boards. The Hernangomez-Vesely duo is among the strongest and most well-matched in Europe (with 10 and 28 points respectively against Milano). On the other side, centers Dunston and Zizic, and the more mobile Jordan Mickey (averaging 9.7 points per game), who is fully recovered after a month's break, will be crucial. But Barca also has immensely talented players who can operate inside and out, like Kalinic (averaging 8.7 points), Parker (10.7 points), and Satoransky (7.7 points). Let's be clear, considering budgets and home-court advantage, the Catalans are the favorites, but the first leg defied expectations of an easy win for them. Their backcourt is led by the experienced playmaker Laprovittola, averaging 12.6 points, with support from Jokubaitis and Brizuela, both averaging 5 points.
Virtus has three exceptional defenders in Pajola, Hackett, and Cordinier (the latter two also averaging 9 points) and often gets a boost from Iffe Lundberg, who has become the man for clutch shots, besides contributing defensively. Belinelli's return is significant; he averages 14.7 points per game and draws double teams from opponents, creating valuable space for teammates with his excellent passing. Virtus lost Cacok to a season-ending knee injury and has replaced him with Ante Zizic, a traditional pivot who prefers the ball in the low post. His teammates are still adapting to playing with him; defensively, he's already a factor (neutralizing Fall in the match against Asvel), and offensively, he has the tools to raise his current average of 3.8 points per game.
Barcelona averages 82 points per game and allows 79.6 to opponents, while Virtus averages 81.3 and concedes 81. Thus, a high-scoring game is expected, but remember, the more significant the games, the higher the level of defense. And this match is for the solitary second place…