Barcelona's Focus Already on Zvezda? Catalans Suffer Defeat Ahead of Play-In Showdown with Red Star!

Coach Xavi Pascual, acutely aware of the upcoming European fixture's importance, attempted to rest his key players. While he aimed for his stars to exert minimal effort, the on-court situation didn't afford him that luxury:

Barcelona's mainstays – Punter, Clyburn, and Shengelia – each spent 22 minutes on the court, with Norris shouldering the heaviest load at 23 minutes. The sole bright spot was Dario Brizuela, who tallied an impressive 21 points in just 21 minutes.

The game was a rollercoaster of momentum. After a sluggish start, Barcelona seized control in the second quarter, heading into halftime with a five-point lead (46:41). However, an inexplicable slump followed in the third quarter, where the Catalans managed a mere 15 points.

In the closing stages, Xavi Pascual's squad ran out of offensive answers, allowing Lleida to establish a double-digit lead and comfortably close out the game. This setback leaves Barcelona with numerous questions ahead of their crucial EuroLeague clash against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet on Tuesday.

VIDEO Kalinic and Vesely's cordial greeting before the game