Virtus Segafredo Bologna 75-92 Barça: Convincing win

A great victory in Europe to start the week, Barça running out clear winners away to Virtus Segafredo Bologna (75-92) in their first visit to the city in 20 years. Jasikevicius' team were in cruise control after a great second and third quarter and saw out an important win. Mirotic and Abrines were key men with 17 and 16 points respectively.

Barça take control

Barça were quickly into their stride despite the scoreline not reflecting as such. Eight points without reply opened up a 6-14 lead after eight minutes, Laprovittola and Mirotic helping take control of the game with 7 and 8 points respectively. A few loose plays let the Italian side back in, however, score at the end of the first: 17-22.

The second quarter saw Sergi Martínez return after four months out with a left knee injury. The Italians were eating into the lead but Barça went into overdrive and started scoring freely, gradually extending their lead, helped by a poor return of 10 points for the period from their opponents. Half time score: 27-47.

No let up in the third

More of the same after the restart. Barça were very solid in both attack and defence, with the Italians only having scored 30 points by the middle of the quarter compared to 60 for the Catalans. Kalinic and Jokubaitis both scored eight points, and the score was 39-74 going into the final quarter.

Barça used their significant lead as a buffer in the fourth, and despite the Italians reducing some of the lead, it was a bridge too far, with the Catalans in control and scoring when needed to stem the tide. Final score 75-92.

Next up, Río Breogan at the Palau Blaugrana (Sunday 12 February, 12.30pm CET)

Game stats

Virtus, 75
Barça, 92

Virtus: Jaiteh (14), Shengelia (10), Hacket (0), Weems (6), Teodosic (3) – starting five - Mannion (6), Belinelli (12), Pajola (0), Bako (8), lundberg (13), Mickey (3).

Barça: Vesely (4), Kalinic (9), Satoransky (1), Laprovittola (10), Mirotic (17) – starting five - Sanli (0), Martínez (0), Abrines (16), Higgins (9), Tobey (7), Jokubaitis (13), Nnaji (6).

Quarters: 17-22, 10-25// 12-27, 36-18

Referees: Robert Lottermoser, Milan Nedovic, Adar Peer.