New European competition match away from the Palau and with a very important challenge: The Blaugranas want to ensure mathematical qualification for the quarterfinals of the WSE Champions League. They will achieve it if they win this Thursday on the Portuguese OC Barcelos court (10 p.m., WSE TV). This is not the only objective within reach. If Edu Castro’s team wins and CentroPorsche Firenze VH Forte draws or loses against Deportivo Liceo, the Blaugranas will secure first place in group A, as long as they manage to do the job and get the 3 points. Now, the coach although warns that “it will be a vital match to get one of the first two positions in the group. If the first can be better than the second.” He also warns that “we are playing against a team that already made it very difficult for us at the Palau. At home they are fearsome and we must be very motivated to achieve the goal.” Regarding this fact, Joao Rodrigues is clear: “We must bring out the best version of Barça to take the three points.”
Barcelos, a complicated team but with good memories
Barça and OC Barcelos have met eighteen times, with thirteen wins, three draws and two defeats for Barça. The last time Barça visited the Portuguese town in the group stage of the WSE Champions League was in February 2007 (4-3). However, it was not the last time that the Blaugranas visited the town of Barcelos, they did so in 2018, when they eliminated the host team (2-6) in the semifinals to end up winning the Continental Cup. The Barça coach has good memories and believes, regarding the atmosphere that will be experienced, that “there is a plus due to the fact that we are Barça, that we are first in the OK League, we are historic and there will be a fantastic atmosphere but it will be mostly your favor. This motivates us.” Joao Rodrigues adds that “it is one of the best atmospheres in world hockey, there is a lot of passion in the city of Barcelos. They are very competitive and it will surely be full because Barça is coming and it will be a very exciting game to play. We will have to suffer, know how to manage it and, if possible, get our ticket to the quarterfinals.” Paulo Freitas’ team has very dangerous players and, this time, as has been mentioned, they will have the public factor in their favor, with a packed pavilion.
The blaugranas, with everyone available
The Blaugranas travel to Portugal this Wednesday with maximum concentration and with the objective of achieving one of the first challenges of the season. Edu Castro will be able to count on all the available players in the first team with the exception of Matias Pascual. The young man Eloi Cervera will complete the call. The referees of the duel will be Massimiliano Carmazzi and Anthony Hyde.
2024-01-24 13:01:30
#BarcelosBarça #quarterfinals #spotlight
