Reigning Champions clinch place in finals (3-0)

FUTSAL

Barça Alusport have beaten FC Litija to qualify for their second consecutive UEFA Futsal Cup Finals, where they will defend the title they won last year

Torras, Igor and Lozano were the goal scorers in a game where Barça had to work hard to maintain a glorious run of success

Ari, Cristian i Saad / FOTO: FCB
L'equip, amb la Penya Blaugrana d'Eslovènia / FOTO: FCB

STATISTICS

FC Barcelona Alusport, 3
FC Litija, 0

Barça Alusport (1+2): Cristian, Torras (1), Ari, Lin, Fernandao -cinc inicial- Aicardo, Lozano (1), Igor (1), Saad, Wilde.

FC Litija (0+0): Puskar, Osredkar, Pertic, Simeunovic, Vrhovec -cinc inicial- Fetic, Mehic, Pantic, Radonjic.

Goals: 1-0, Torras, min 12; 2-0, Igor, min 28, i 3-0, Lozano, min 40.

The team coached by Marc Carmona did what they had to do in Lasko and are through to the finals of the UEFA Futsal Cup for the second year running. Barça finished top of Group A and join Dynamo Moscow, who became the first team to reach the finals at the expense of ElPozo Murcia. Barça Alusport were cheered on on Saturday by, among others the Slovenian Official Barça Supporters’ Club.

Serious opposition

There was a fantastic atmosphere in a packed Sport Hall for the game between Barça Alusport and host club FC Litija. Right from the beginning it was clear that FC Litija would be a tougher proposition than MNK Split and Araz Naxçivan. Barça made a bright start with chances for Lin, Torras and Wilde; FC Litija opted to defend and look for chances on the break.

Halfway into the first half, Lozano and Ari Santos both tested Puskar and this pressure soon produced Barça’s opening goal –a left-footer from Torras after an assist from Igor. The home side were beginning to wilt under the pressure but still managed a couple of good efforts before the break. 0-1 to Barça at halftime.

A tough start to the second half

FC Litija started the second half strongly, led by the veteran Simeunovic, and demonstrated just why this club supplies most of the Slovenian national team. Cristian was the hero, stopping two goal-bound efforts from Pertic and Vrhovec. Barça Alusport had to work hard to resist. Then in the 28th minute Lin won back possession and started a move that ended with Igor making it 2-0.

Joy on a job well done

The home side threw everything forward but Barça Alusport, who had dominated the first half, continued to look comfortable throughout the second. Lozano made it 3-0 with a penalty. Job done.

The next game for Barça Alusport will be on 24th November away to Caja Segovia. For now, the focus switches to the World Cup, which will feature many Barça players.