FC Barcelona Lassa - Real Madrid: Classic performance in the Clásico (85-75)

Barça Lassa came out on top in the Clásico against Real Madrid, inflicting on their great rivals their first league defeat of the season. In front of a packed Palau Blaugrana, the home side put on a veritable exhibition despite having important players missing to claim a wonderful 85-75 victory.

Bartzokas’ side came into the derby with no less than five absentees due to injury, not the best way to come up against a Real Madrid side unbeaten in the Endesa League. The game was always going to be a tough one and the opening minutes only confirmed that fact.

Despite not being at full strength, Barça took an early lead at 9-3 after 5 minutes. Tomic was top scorer in the first quarter and at one point the blaugranes lead by 9 at 19-10 with 8 minutes gone. Madrid picked themselves up and with the help of their ability from the perimeter, they reduced the deficit to 25-20 at the end of the quarter.

Decisive period

The beginning of the second half was spectacular from Barça Lassa. Perperoglou was at the heart of everything, precise with his shooting from both the inside and the outside. Real Madrid kept themselves in the game thanks to three pointers, 12 of their 23 points at one point coming that way.

With Tomic invaluable in defence and Rice leading the team on offense, Barça were inspired and at one point a dunk from Perperoglou gaves them a 16 point lead, their biggest advantage of the game. Another spectacular dunk from Tomic got the crowd to their feet as Barça Lassa went off at the break leading 49-33.

The second half continued along the same lines. Barça were able to break down the Madrid defense at will with Tomic helping himself to 19 points along the way and Perperoglou 18. With the Palau behind them the lead remained 16 with the score reading 65-49 after 28 minutes.

Real Madrid rallied and two consecutive three pointers cut the deficit. Koponen appeared to calm the nerves with a three pointer of his own as the score was 80-71 with minutes remaining. Rice gave Barça a 12 point lead to the delight of the fans in the Palau and from that moment on the result was never in doubt. Barça took the win by 10 points in the end to record their second win over Real Madrid this season and their fourth in a row in all competitions.