Barça 67-77 AS Monaco: Defeat at the Palau

The blaugranes went down to defeat against AS Monaco in the Euroleague by 77-67 in the Palau Blaugrana despite the return of Ricky Rubio after an absence of almost 13 years. Roger Grimau's side started the game well but Monaco came back and held their lead until the end. 

Good start from Barça 

The blaugranes began the contest well with Laprovittola nailing two three pointers to send the home side ahead at 12-4. Excellent defence and poor shooting from the vistors saw Grimau's side lead 21-12 at the end of the first quarter. 

Ricky Rubio returns to the Palau Blaugrana

The fans in the Palau gave Ricky Rubio a hero's welcome as he returned to action as a blaugrana after an absence of almost 13 years. However, the local lad's first points on his return to the club could not prevent the French side from pulling back the deficit in the second quarter and reducing Barça's lead to 35-33 at half time. 

Monaco get away 

In the second half Barça's Jan Vesely racked up a run of points before Monaco came surging back to take a 48-56 lead. The visitors continued to find gaps in the blaugrana defence and took a 60-51 lead into the final quarter. 

The fourth quarter saw both side match each other basket for basket with Monaco stretching their lead to 70-57 at one point. The blaugranes fought back but the away side held out for a 77-67 win in the Palau.

MATCH STATS 

Barça, 67
AS Monaco, 77

Barça: Tomas Satoransky (8), Nico Laprovittola (13), Nikola Kalinic (2), Jabari Parker (7), Jan Vesely (19) -starting five- Rokas Jokubaitis (2), Willy Hernangómez (3), Alex Abrines (4), Darío Brizuela (2), Oscar Da Silva (2), Ricky Rubio (5), James Nnaji (-)

AS Monaco: Mike James (17), Matthew Strazel (13), John Brown (3), Jaron Blossomgame (10), Donatas Motiejunas (12) -starting five- Alpha Diallo (4), Elie Okobo (7), Mam Jaiteh (1), Petr Cornelie (0), Kemba Walker (0), Donta Hall (10), Terry Tarpey (-)