Barcelona vs Monaco

Barcelona host Monaco for Game Three of their EuroLeague playoff quarter-final series, trailing 0-2 after losses on the road.

In the opening two games of the EuroLeague quarterfinals, Barcelona struggled to assert themselves as genuine contenders against Monaco. Their season has been a rollercoaster, though they showed flashes of promise late in the regular season, securing impressive away victories against Milano and Fenerbahce to finish fifth. Despite entering the series with some optimism, Barcelona now faces a steep challenge after two losses.

Monaco dominated the first game 97–80 and followed up with a 92–79 win in the second. Compounding Barcelona’s difficulties, they endured a grueling Endesa League match against Unicaja, scraping an 83–81 victory that drained their energy reserves ahead of a critical elimination game against Monaco.

Barcelona’s most reliable performers in the first two games were Kevin Punter and Dario Brizuela. Youssoupha Fall delivered 13 points and 14 rebounds in the opener, while Jabari Parker stepped up with 16 points in the second game. Although Barcelona has held their own on the boards, they’ve struggled to match Monaco’s intensity.

Monaco’s aggressive play has forced numerous turnovers, exposing Barcelona’s ongoing issues with backcourt creativity, which have become glaring in this series. In Game 2, Barcelona limited Monaco’s three-point accuracy, but they allowed easy points in the paint and in transition, with Monaco excelling on two-point shots. Monaco appears sharper and more cohesive, leaving Barcelona with a tough task to keep the series alive. They’ll need stronger backcourt play and a significant boost in defensive tenacity.

Monaco, by contrast, has looked relentless in the first two games, amassing 29 assists to Barcelona’s 8. They’ve also capitalized on Barcelona’s mistakes, forcing 13 more turnovers that often led to fast-break points. Monaco attacked the rim with confidence, frequently finishing with dunks. While they’ll likely face a fiercer Barcelona in Game 3, driven by pride and home support, Monaco has shown versatility. They shot 42.9% from three in Game 1, and even with a dip to 30.8% in Game 2, they secured a comfortable win.

Coach Vassilis Spanoulis has plenty to be optimistic about, with his team’s depth shining through. Mike James and Daniel Theis led with 22 points each in the first game, supported by Elie Okobo’s 19. In Game 2, Alpha Diallo stepped up with 21 points and 6 rebounds, while Mouhammadou Jaiteh added 20. Jordan Loyd contributed 13 points, and Matthew Strazel made an impact in both games.

Monaco’s lighter domestic schedule, highlighted by a 91–52 rout of Limoges, allowed Spanoulis to rest his stars. As Game 3 looms, Monaco must brace for Barcelona’s early aggression but appears well-equipped with superior firepower, positioning them just one win away from the Final Four.