Do Sekulic and his pupils know what Barça means?
According to Mundodeportivo.
Context
Barça, under the leadership of Sekulic, faces a critical moment in its Liga ACB campaign. The team, which has already suffered significant defeats, urgently needs to find a way to stabilize and improve its performance, especially after the humiliation in the Endesa Super Cup. The pressure on new players and the need to build a strong identity are factors that directly influence their trajectory in the league.
Why this matters
Barça's heavy defeat against Joventut is not just a one-off setback, but rather a reflection of deeper problems within the team. The lack of competitive identity and the defensive weaknesses exposed during the game raise questions about the ability of Sekulic's team to compete in the ACB League. As the calendar progresses, the pressure increases for Barça to find quick solutions to avoid a prolonged crisis.
Main conclusions
- Do Sekulic and his pupils know what Barça means?
- Joventut overruns Barça (113-89), repeating the superiority already seen in the Super Cup, and leaves Sekulic's team under fire due to defensive weaknesses and lack of competitive identity.
- Does Sekulic and his pupils know what Barça means?, by Xavier Bosch.
Joventut once again left Sekulic's Barcelona in check with an overwhelming 113-89 victory, a result that echoes the Super Cup final where Penya had already “stripped the colors” of the Blaugrana. The score, expressive and without appeal, reflects more than a bad day: it confirms a pattern in which Sekulic's team finds no antidote to stop its rival and exposes a defensive crisis that has been going on for weeks.
The contrast in attitudes also became clear. During Barça's time-outs, the feeling conveyed was one of little pain and little urgency, with cold looks from the new players to the coach, a sign that does not inspire confidence. On the other side, two minutes from the end, Miret demanded that his Joventut charge to try to win by 30. An indicator of competitive hunger that the Blaugrana team clearly lacked.
The numbers help tell the story: Barça accumulated 20 turnovers and allowed 17 triples in 30 attempts to Penya. Badalona's team scored 64 points in the second half alone, an offensive production that highlights the defensive permeability of a Barcelona team that, after 12 games (7 wins and 5 losses), shows no signs of progressing behind. In the last four meetings, the teams scored almost 400 points, a barbarity for any team that aspires to compete for titles.
The construction of this “new” Barça has been based on speed and external accuracy, trusting in the talent of shooters such as Robinson, Martin and Punter. However, the formula has sounded like Russian roulette: a “ball to each man and pray it goes in” attack, without the essential foundation of a solid defensive identity. Without that, any offensive blackout or series of bad decisions — like the 20 losses — turns into a steep slope that's impossible to climb.
There was also Laprovittola's emotional narrative, motivated like few others to punish his former club after being pushed out of Palau, a decision that the player still doesn't understand. The Argentine found open tolls in the Blaugrana defense, another symptom of a team without mechanisms, without help and without intensity.
To worsen the situation, the defeat comes again against a historic rival from Catalonia. Losing with Penya is already painful; falling twice with a bang, in a short space of time and with such poor performances, distorts what is expected from a Barça that, due to its size, has to compete in every possession. The Blaugrana bench, beyond Parra's energy and the zeal of the physiotherapists, did not seem to feel the symbolic weight of what was happening.
Final note: Galbiati, who was Xevi Pujol's first choice for the Barça bench, has already left Baskonia. This is data that illustrates how the market and leadership ideas are constantly changing. For Sekulic and his charges, time is running out: there is an urgent need to rebuild from the back and regain their competitive soul before the season becomes irretrievable.
What happens next
After this defeat, Barça will have to re-evaluate their defensive approach and team dynamics before the next games in the Liga ACB. The need for a quick response is crucial, as a lack of evolution could seriously compromise the team's aspirations this season. The next match will be a vital opportunity for Barça to demonstrate resilience and adjust their strategy, especially against opponents who can exploit their weaknesses.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of the game between Barça and Joventut?
The result was 113-89 in favor of Joventut.
How was Barça's ranking after the defeat?
After the defeat, Barça have 7 wins and 5 losses in 12 games.
How many points did Barça allow in the second half of the game?
Barça allowed 64 points to Joventut in the second half.
When is Barça's next game?
The date of Barça's next game was not mentioned in the article.
What was Barça's defensive performance in this game?
Barça had a weak defensive performance, acu
scoring 20 turnovers and allowing 17 triples.