There are game that seem to go against you at every moment and the 90-74 defeat in the Palau against Monaco was one of those for FC Barcelona's basketball team. Xavi Pascual's team did all they could but it was not enough to end 2025 on a winning not in the Euroleague. 

First half to forget 

Hernangómez opened the scoring for the blaugranes but Monaco's seven unanswered points then set the tone. The visitors established a 17-6 lead and only a three point from Brizuela at the end of the first period prevented Monaco taking a double digit lead as the quarter ended 22-13 to the visitors. 

The second quarter followed the same script as the first with former blaugrana Mirotic and Nedovic extending Monaco's lead to 32-15. Seven points without reply from the blaugranes cut the deficit but at half time Monaco still had a healthy lead at 47-30. 

No lack of trying 

In the second half points from Brizuela prevented the visitors from building an even bigger lead but the damage was already done. Frustration boiled over and coach Xavi Pascual was ejected at the end of the third quarter after showing his displeasure at a foul call against his side. 

In the fourth quarter the blaugranes brought themselves to within 11 points but the lead built by Monaco in the first half was unassailable and the blaugranes had to resign themselves to defeat, just their second in the last 12 matches of 2025 - form that gives them great hope for 2026. 

MATCH STATS

Barça: 74
Mònaco: 90

Barça: Satoransky (2), Punter (8), Cale (7), Norris (14) and Hernangómez (7) - starting five - Marcos (0), Vesely (0), Brizuela (25), Fall (8), Laprovittola (2), Keita (-) and Parra (1).

Mònaco: James (19), Blossomgame (2), Okobo (12), Diallo (9) and Theis (7) - starting five - Michineau (-), Hayes (15), Tarpey (0). Begarin (-), Nedovic (8), Strazel (5) and Mirotic (13).

Quarters: 13-22, 17-25, 23-22, 21-21.

 

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