Pascual: “They're the surprise team this season, a very difficult rival”

It’s time to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off. After the defeat to Copenhagen, Barça Intersport want to return to their winning ways this Tuesday agains Ciudad Encantada, who currently are sixth in the Liga Asobal. “When you have a result that isn’t positive, you want to play another match to pick yourself back up. We want to get rid of the aftertaste of defeat,” said Xavi Pascual, FC Barcelona Intersport manager.

Top spot once again up for grabs

The match is not just a morale boosting exercise. The Barça team are fighting for the Liga: “we are aware that we are going to play a decisive game in the fight for the title and that these two points are very important if we want to keep the top spot.” Pascual repeatedly warned of the danger the Cuenca side bring to the court: “for me they are the surprise team of the season. They are a difficult rival that have been able to replace good players with confidence. I commend them for it.”

The Barça manager had words of praise for Zup Equisoaín, his counterpart on the Ciudad Encantada bench: “we must praise his work. You only have to look at what he achieved with Portland San Antonio and what he’s doing now. Besides, he’s a very friendly person.”