A VALENCIA AGAINST
The Valencian coach had well prepared the match. He had no intention of playing the victory against Barça to the grave. His defensive alternatives, even he raised a pressing zone 1-3-1 and subsequent zone, choked the blaugrana for many minutes. Since Madrid applied it against Barça in Kaunas, starts to be a constant. But they were not enough to jeopardize Barça’s victory in the first game of the series. We also saw a duel of streaks. There were several sets, from both teams, very convincing. Of course, always with those of Saras taking the initiative within a very frequent exchange of baskets. It may have been the first quarter where both teams were more nervous. Mistakes, nerves and poor rhythm control. However, little by little, hand in hand with a successful perimeter, Barça began to command on the scoreboard. In large part, also due to the losses of Valencia, a good Blaugrana defense, which ended in endless transitions with easy baskets. There were not too many contacts, nor personal fouls. The match ended very quickly, something strange in a first playoff game. The local collective game prevailed over the good Valencian individualities.
MIROTIC TAKEN THE INITIATIVE
He left the game very motivated. He read Valencia’s intentions wonderfully, and offered to be the executing arm of his own. But he was not an orphan in the Barça attack. He was well supported by Kuric, Satoransky or Vesely himself. It may be that the difficulties to move the ball judiciously against the different zones that Valencia raised, is the most dangerous point for the blaugrana, and the one that they will have to improve by forced marches. Rivals are always on the lookout for your weaknesses. But, there is no doubt that there are obvious differences between both templates. The Harper-Jones couple, some gamers, have an enormous capacity to play 1v1, and many points in their hands. But, this also causes a certain anarchy in their game that, in the end, takes its toll. Barça won with a certain tranquility. For a match in which the Valencians could have pushed themselves to the limit, transferring the pressure to Saras’ men, the truth is that it ended with an evident superiority of the blaugranas. Now, they must finish off in Valencia. An always complicated track, but, seen what has been seen, everything will depend on how Barça tackles it.
HE WAS UNCOVERED AGAINST VALENCIA
A great performance. There are always nerves in a first playoff game. His series of triples, 7 of 10, prevented any hint of a Valencian reaction, and gave his companions a lot of peace of mind. He acted as executor and led the blaugrana attack.
TOO MUCH INDIVIDUALISM
More players were missing to accompany harper and jones. It is also true that they monopolize a good part of the attacks of his team. But, to beat Barça at home they will need more offensive arguments.