Barça 6-2 Forte dei Marmi: Winning return to the Champions League

A great return to the Champions League for Barça at the Palau Blaugrana, having made light work of Forte dei Marmi, winning 6-2. Ignacio Alabart (2), João Rodrigues (2), Helder Nunes and Sergi Panadero scored the goals for a ravenous attack, with the game under control from start to finish. 

Lively play from Barça from the outset

Barça made up for lost time in the Champions League. Three years without European competition is a long time and the lively attacking approach was just the ticket. Ignacio Alabart scored first, assisted by Helder Nunes. Soon after he scored himself from a Sergi Panadero assist to make it 2-0, both lovely goals.

The Tuscan side kept being foiled by an inspired Sergi Fernández, but even he couldn't keep out a direct free hit from Federico Ambrosio, who made it 2-1, which took a bit of the shine off the home side's brilliance. However, Pau Bargalló quelled any comeback with a direct free hit to make it 3-1 at halftime.

Effectiveness sees out the game

After the break, Barça came out strongly and scored a quick fire brace through João Rodrigues, the first after a recovery in the area and the second showcasing his quality by sending the ball into the top corner. The Tuscans then had a direct free hit saved, before Alabart converted superbly from the 7.40 metre line. 

The lively attacks continued, Sergi Panadero finishing a Sergi Llorca pass sensationally to make it an unsurmountable 6-1. There was still 15 minutes to go in the first WSE Champions League game of the season, enabling Joan Pascual to come off the bench for his European debut, with a consolation goal by Enric Torner completing the score at 6-2.

Next up Girona visit the Palau Blaugrana for the OK Liga clash on Sunday 29 January (7pm CET).

GAME STATS

Barça, 6
Forte dei Marmi, 2

Barça: Sergi Fernández, Ignacio Alabart, Helder Nunes, João Rodrigues and Pau Bargalló - starting five - Sergi Panadero, Marc Grau, Sergi Llorca, and Joan Pascual 
Forte dei Marmi: Riccardo Gnata, Enric Torner, Marc Gual, Domenico Illuzzi and Federico Ambrosio - starting five - Francesco Rossi and Luca Lombardi

Goals: 1-0, Ignacio Alabart (min. 6); 2-0, Helder Nunes (min. 12); 2-1, Federico Ambrosio (direct free hit) (min. 16); 3-1, João Rodrigues (min. 26); 4-1, João Rodrigues (min. 28); 5-1, Ignacio Alabart (direct free hit) (min. 31); 6-1, Sergi Panadero (min. 35); 6-2, Enric Torner (min. 48)

Referees: Pedro Figueiredo and Pedro Silva. Blue cards for Sergi Panadero (min. 16), Sergi Llorca (min. 30) and Domenico Illuzzi (min. 25 and min. 31). Fouls: 8-11