Match Report: Hockey Forte v Barça Lassa: First step towards the Final Four (1-3)

Barça Lassa roller hockey side are closer to the Final Four of the European League. The blaugranas beat Forte dei Marmi 3-1 thanks to goals from Pau Bargalló, Pablo Alvárez and Lucas Ordoñez in the first leg of the quarter finals. The two sides meet again in fifteen days at the Palau with the Catalans in the driving seat thanks to their first leg advantage.

Ricard Muñoz’s side played with intent throughout as they sought to come home with a positive result ahead of the return leg on home soil. They were playing in a hostile environment but nonetheless they looked to control play. Pierluigi Bresciani’s side were thriving in front of their raucous home support and they were looking to counter at speed and play at a high intensity. Luckily, Sergi Fernández was there to make some important saves.

When it looked like half time would arrive without any goals, Pau Bargalló scored Barça’s first from a Marc Gual assist. It was a crucial goal and it hurt the opposition to go a goal down just 45 seconds before the break.

Patience brings victory

The half-time break didn’t change the dynamic of the game and the rhythm remained high. The Italian side began to believe a little more and they managed to level the scores through a Pagnini goal. However, the Catalans didn’t give up and they kept playing their game. Seven minutes later they got their rewards with a Pablo Alvárez’s fantastic goal from outside the box. Barça had taken the lead again and this time they didn’t relinquish it. In fact, they went on to score another through Lucas Ordoñez’s individual goal six minutes from time.

The Italians tried to get a goal back with an eye on travelling to Barcelona only one goal down but Barça played intelligently in the closing minutes and were able to control the tempo of the match. This fantastic first leg performance brings the blaugranas a little bit closer to a place in the Final Four of the European competition. The return match will be played on 1 April at the Palau Blaugrana.