Peñarroya gave the key to defeat in Kaunas

The very irregular Barça suffered its first defeat this Thursday in the “premiere” of the Joan Peñarroi project in the Euroleague. against Zalgiris Kaunas, who became stronger at home and whose main hero in the last quarter was Sylvain Francisco (formerly of BAXI Manresa). As a result, 74-67 and I’m thinking about further improvement.

WITH new coach and even five signings (Juan Nunez, Kevin Panther, Justin Anderson, Chimezie Metu and Youssoufa Fall), the Barça team needs more time, but they will also have little time due to a tight calendar that does not allow the slightest respite.

Peñaroya analyzed the defeat in a constructive tone. Barça is a new team with five contracts, a new coach and different roles.. Players with experience came, but some had not yet played FIBA ​​or Euroleague basketball. We need time to understand the competition. It’s very difficult to win in Kaunas,” commented the Catalan.

“We performed uncertainly, but played softly at the beginning of the first half. We defended softly, and Zalgiris scored very easily. in one-on-one pick-and-roll situations (block and follow-up) in the center. We improved our defense in the third quarter, but in the last quarter we missed easy threes and Francisco had an incredible 15 points,” continued the Barcelona coach.

The former coach of Valencia and Baskonia, among others, insisted on the lack of initial energy. “In the first half, we were late in all combat situations, in split balls or in one-on-one situations. They only scored seven points in the third quarter, but we need more efficiency from long range in the big moments. “We only made five triples and missed the rest on good shots.”– he insisted.

Joan Peñarroya wasn’t too surprised by the great performance Francisco, whom “I know”because he played two years ago in Manresa. “He’s special, he can play in a lot of one-on-one situations, he’s a clutch guy (able to score in almost any situation), who hits triples on a step-back (moving backwards when throwing), and he’s still starting with Euroleague”.

After winning the Catalan League and losing to Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Super Cup, Barça crushed Granada in the Endesa League and started with a defeat in Europe. Their next two engagements are a visit to the newly promoted Hiopos Lleida Hotel on Sunday (6.30pm) and apparently available fight next Friday in Palau against ALBA Berlin.