FC Barcelona and Olympiacos are about to enter a decisive Game 5 that will send the winner to the EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin. While the hosts have efficiently defended their home court this season, there are some worrisome trends they should take into account.
FC Barcelona fell in a resounding fashion in their EuroLeague playoff Game 4, losing 58-92 against Olympiacos Piraeus last Thursday night.
FC Barcelona / Schedule
Olympiacos Piraeus
FC BarcelonaThe contest was essentially decided in the second quarter, where the Catalan side was scattered by the hosts' run 32-14. Still, Barca's win in Game 3 was pivotal in recovering the home-court advantage.
There is no doubt that the fans will take over the Palau Blaugrana again and push their team to its fourth straight Final Four.
"That's what we've been working for all year – to have that advantage, and now we want to use it," Nikola Kalinic told BasketNews.
"They showed that they are a great team. We have to respect that, prepare our bodies, minds, and tactics, and go for the victory. It's always easier to play the life or death matches with your crowd. We'll have to use their energy and play with more physicality – that's the idea," commented the Serbian international.
In fact, Palau has been synonymous with victory for Barca all season long. In the Euroleague, Roger Grimau's team has won 15 of the 17 matches played, boasting the best home record in the competition's history since the format change in the 2016-17 campaign.
However, the Blaugrana's sloppiness in Game 4 got Olympiacos back in contention. The squad coached by Georgios Bartzokas will travel to Barcelona upped by a morale-boosting win.
"They killed us physically," Kalinic commented. "They wanted the game more, and that's it. They've outplayed us, they've taken the energy from their crowd."
"We have not been able to understand the importance of such a game in which the other team plays at home and risks their lives to continue in this competition," center Willy Hernagomez told BasketNews.
"They have
